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The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, today (December 1) opened the Hong Kong Pavilion at Marintec China 2009, a prominent international shipping and maritime biennial trade fair being held in Shanghai from today to Friday (December 4).
The Hong Kong Pavilion was set up by the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council (MIC) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Marine Department.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms Cheng said that with half the global merchant fleet owned or operated by Asian shipowners, Asia had grown, in tandem with the economic growth in China, to take centre stage in the global maritime arena. Hong Kong's vibrant maritime cluster, she said, was keen to take an active part in the development of the region's maritime industry.
"The Government's key strategy is to provide a favourable business environment for international maritime service providers who choose Hong Kong as their home base in Asia," Ms Cheng said.
"The Hong Kong Shipping Register, with a total gross tonnage of more than 44 million, ranks among the top five shipping registers in the world, and Hong Kong's quality fleet of more than 1,400 ships enjoys a very good reputation."
With "Asia's Premier Maritime Centre - Your Natural Partner" as its theme, the Hong Kong Pavilion showcases the territory's wide range of quality maritime services, including ocean transport, ship registration, maritime communications and ocean routing service.
There are more than 1,200 exhibiting companies and 18 national and group pavilions at Marintec China 2009. The four-day event is expected to attract more than 40,000 visitors.
A 17-strong delegation of MIC members and government officials attended the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Pavilion and also the grand opening of the event, at which Ms Cheng was one of the officiating guests. The Hong Kong delegation took the opportunity to visit the Yang Shan Port and Free Trade Area in Shanghai. They will visit Shanghai Maritime University tomorrow (December 2) before returning to Hong Kong.
Ends/Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:19
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