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As a prelude of the 54th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA Conference), a welcome reception, featuring Hong Kong as a waterfront city in the world, was hosted in the evening in Hamilton, Ontario, today (August 19, Ontario time).
The reception was attended by over 200 guests including ministerial officials from the Federal Government, representatives from the business and maritime & logistics sectors across Canada. A video entitled ¡§Waterfront cities of the World - Hong Kong¡¨ was shown.
Speaking at the reception, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto (HKETO), Miss Gloria Lo, said that as the hub in the South Asia-Pacific Region and among the top three busiest container ports in the world, the well equipped Hong Kong port is a very important infrastructure for the logistic industry, which is one of the four pillar industries in Hong Kong. The cruise terminal to come into operation next year and the bridge connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao to be completed in 2016 will further enhance Hong Kong¡¦s function and position as the regional hub port.
"With the full support of the Central Government of China under the 12th National Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will continue to develop as an international maritime centre, and as a high-value goods inventory management and regional distribution centre," Miss Lo said.
"With the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangements signed between Hong Kong and Mainland China in 2003 and its supplements, business operations in Hong Kong, including those which are foreign-owned, could enjoy preferential treatment in entering Mainland markets in 48 service sectors, including the logistics service. Overseas enterprises are always welcome to leverage on all these advantages of Hong Kong in expanding and diversifying their business in Asia," Miss Lo added.
At the reception, Miss Lo gave an update of the annual Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference to be held in Hong Kong on November 8. She encouraged service providers and interested parties to participate in the conference, visits and other networking activities by joining a Canadian delegation which is co-organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the HKETO and the Society of Canadian Logistics. Last year, the inaugural conference had close to 650 participants from 14 countries and regions.
Tomorrow, the Deputy Director of Marine Department of Hong Kong, Mr. Tung Hon-ming, will be one of the keynote speakers at the ACPA Conference introducing the latest developments of the port of Hong Kong and promoting Hong Kong¡¦s position as a regional hub port in Asia.
Ends/Monday, August 20, 2012
Issued at HKT 10:03
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