Third meeting of Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development held

     The Chief Executive's Council of Advisers on Innovation and Strategic Development held its third meeting today (September 4) to deliberate on the development of Hong Kong's maritime and aviation services. Members were also briefed on Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)'s recent initiatives.

     Members noted that HKIA is the world's busiest airport for international air cargo, while Hong Kong port is one of the busiest container ports in the world. They reviewed the economic contribution and strengths of the maritime and aviation sectors in Hong Kong and deliberated on the challenges faced by the two sectors and how the maritime and port industry could stay competitive and move up the value chain. Members were also updated on the new initiatives to boost HKIA's cargo handling capacities and the integrated retail, dining and entertainment development of SkyCity.

     Members opined that the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development would bring vast opportunities for the two sectors, and suggested that the cities in the Bay Area should collaborate to create better synergies.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, "Hong Kong is the regional transport and logistics hub because of our strategic location on the East-West trade route and our role as the gateway to the Pearl River Delta. Our geographical advantage is further reinforced by our open and transparent regulatory regime, a simple tax system with a low tax rate, the rule of law and an independent judiciary. More importantly, we have the support of our country as indicated in the Dedicated Chapter on Hong Kong and Macao in the National 13th Five-year Plan to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, transport and trade centre. It is high time we reviewed our strategy in further developing the maritime and aviation sectors to seize the opportunities available through proactive government policies, facilitating measures, timely investment and stepped-up promotions."

     The Council is a high-level body responsible for advising the Chief Executive on Hong Kong's future development and strategies for driving innovation. It gives advice on Hong Kong's strategic positioning in the global and regional contexts and directions of economic development, with an aim of enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness and growth potential, providing guidance on evidence-based research and undertaking studies on related issues, with a view to enhancing policy formulation to meet changing development needs and advising on stakeholder engagement and public participation in the policy formulation and consensus building process.