STL promotes HK’s maritime and logistics advantages in Tokyo (with photos)

     The Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) and the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, led a delegation comprising the HKMPB, the Marine Department, Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to visit Tokyo, Japan, to promote Hong Kong's maritime and port industry, in particular its strength in high value-added maritime services.

     The delegation visited a number of maritime enterprises including major shipping liners and trading houses today (July 3). They also paid a courtesy call on the State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, Mr Kokuba Konosuke, to introduce Hong Kong's latest maritime developments and explore business opportunities for further co-operation with the Japanese maritime community.

     During a business dinner held tonight with the Japanese Shipowners' Association, Mr Lam gave a brief outline on Hong Kong's advantages as an international maritime centre. He said, "Hong Kong is positioned as the 'super connector' between Mainland China and the global markets. We are home to a vibrant maritime cluster with over 1 100 port and maritime-related companies and provide a great variety of quality maritime services. We also provide a series of tax concession measures for the maritime industry, and have lately introduced a green initiative to provide incentives for Hong Kong-registered ships that attain high ratings under the international standards on decarbonisation formulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), making Hong Kong a pioneer flag administration supporting the IMO's green shipping policy on the Carbon Intensity Indicator."

     "Both Japan and Hong Kong are the world's leading maritime centres playing important roles in the sea trade routes in the Asia-Pacific region. I am confident that our two economies can work closer to achieve mutual benefits and prosperity in the years ahead," he added.

     The delegation started a four-day visit to Tokyo yesterday (July 2) and they will continue to meet other maritime enterprises and organisations during the visit.