Following is a speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, at the opening ceremony of the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress held at the AsiaWorld-Expo of the Hong Kong International Airport this morning (September 3):

Mr [Mike] Rusbridge, Minster Wang [Changshun], Commissioner Lu [Xinhua], Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

     It is my great pleasure to join you here today for the opening of the Asian Aerospace Expo and Congress.

     This is the first time such a major aviation event is held in Hong Kong. But I would like to think it comes as no surprise that Reed Exhibition, the world's largest event organiser, has chosen our city.

Hong Kong's advantages

     Today Hong Kong offers the ideal platform for an event of this kind: the right facilities, the right location and a solid track-record as a city where deals get done.

     Here in Hong Kong we live and breathe business. For decades we've been bringing together players from around the world. We provide the highest level of business support services – legal, financial, logistical – we combine the best of Asian and Western business practices – and, lest we forget, this is a city where once the deal is done, you'll always find an excellent way to celebrate!
 
Quality of Hong Kong facilities

     We're here today at AsiaWorld-Expo – Hong Kong's newest and most modern events venue. I'm sure you'll agree it's a facility with few rivals in the region. It offers the space and expertise to host not just one major aviation show – but four.

     And few can fault its location. Glance out of the windows and you'll see first hand much of what is best about the aviation sector in our multi-award winning international airport.

China's potential

     Look a little further north, and you're face-to-face with the world's fastest growing aviation market – and one of the key reasons you're here today.

     China has emerged as a major player in the aviation sector. Yet despite the rapid progress to date, many argue that the best is yet to come.  According to current estimates, China is set for double-digit annual growth across its airline sector for at least the next two decades.  And during this same period, China's airlines will order up to 3,000 passenger and cargo airplanes.

Regional potential and partnership

     And it's not just China. Successful economies across the region are expanding fleets, improving services and upgrading technologies. Collaboration is the key to success in this region. Global players and their regional partners are creating new opportunities and new business models which are raising competitiveness and improving safety and quality across the industry.

     But the aviation sector – as you'll see here today – is about much much more than huge commercial aircraft. It's about the hundreds of companies that support the sector and drive innovation – many of which are based in Asia, or have regional offices designing, testing and manufacturing the latest products and services.

     Today, as well as the Asian Aerospace Expo and Congress, which has gathered an unprecedented field of expertise here in Hong Kong, we also have major events covering Aircraft Interiors, Airfreight and a high-level Airline Training Symposium.

Conclusion

     Ladies and Gentlemen, this is an exciting time to be in Asia – and in particular in Hong Kong.

     Aviation – as you well know – is a high stakes industry. So our role is simple. As your hosts for the next four days, we aim to provide you with the facilities, the contacts and the business services to allow you to focus on this exciting region and the opportunities ahead.

     Thank you.

Ends/Monday, September 3, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:12

NNNN

News Archives | Yesterday's News