ENG-2004 — Page 346

296 | Transport

'Logistics Hong Kong' Initiative

The policy objective of the Government is to maintain and strengthen the role of Hong Kong as the preferred international transportation and logistics hub in Asia.

The Government provides a conducive environment and necessary infrastructure to facilitate the development of the logistics sector. It also promotes closer cooperation with the Mainland, in particular, the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region to achieve synergistic benefits in logistics development.

The Steering Committee on Logistics Development (LOGSCOM) provides policy steer on logistics development in Hong Kong under the chairmanship of the Financial Secretary. The Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL), chaired by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, implements the policy directives of LOGSCOM. It also provides a forum for the private and public sectors to foster logistics development with a view to strengthening Hong Kong's status as the leading logistics hub in Asia. Five project groups are set up under LOGSCOUNCIL to develop and implement work programmes in specific areas, including physical infrastructure, information connectivity, human resource development, support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as marketing and promotion.

During the year, LOGSCOUNCIL focused on development of a Digital Trade and Transportation Network System for launching in 2005. The system is an open and neutral e-platform for the exchange of information and data among participants in the supply chain. LOGSCOUNCIL also worked on development of the Lantau Logistics Park to provide a purpose-built operating environment for the efficient delivery of individually customised and integrated services.

LOGSCOUNCIL worked closely with the logistics sector to upgrade the quality of human resources by encouraging training institutes to organise tailor-made courses for logistics practitioners. It also organised roadshows at secondary schools to promote awareness among students of the development of the logistics sector and the employment opportunities it offered. Seminars were also organised for logistics SMEs to update them on the latest trends and technologies relevant to the logistics industry. In May, LOGSCOUNCIL sponsored the 'Logistics Hong Kong' International Conference and Exhibition to showcase Hong Kong's logistics strengths to both local and overseas logistics-related companies. The event attracted about 2 200 delegates and exhibition goers.

Civil Aviation

Hong Kong is a major international and regional aviation centre. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is one of the busiest airports in the world. At the end of 2004, there were 72 scheduled airlines serving Hong Kong. These airlines together operated about 4 600 scheduled flights weekly in each direction between Hong Kong to some 130 cities worldwide. In addition, an average of about 40 non-scheduled flights were operated to and from HKIA each week.