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The Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport), Mr Joseph Lai, today (September 18) invited Ningbo Port to make more use of Hong Kong's professional maritime services and international networks to expand its business overseas.
Speaking at a symposium on the development of port and maritime services in Ningbo and Hong Kong, held today in Ningbo as the main event of the Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum, Mr Lai said Hong Kongˇ¦s commercial services, including banking, insurance, accounting and legal services were geared to international standards, while Hong Kong professionals generally had a good command of both Chinese and English, as well as plenty of international exposure.
"The gross tonnage of ships on the Hong Kong Shipping Register totalled more than 78 million at the end of August, 21 per cent more than a year ago and 12 times more than 15 years ago. It is estimated that ships from Mainland enterprises make up 39 per cent of the Hong Kong-registered fleet in terms of gross tonnage (30.69 million) and 34 per cent in terms of number of ships (748), which reflects the support Mainland enterprises give to Hong Kong and the amount of services Hong Kong provides to the Mainland maritime industry," Mr Lai said.
Mr Lai said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government had commenced a consultancy study in November last year on how to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's position as an international maritime centre, and had set up various scholarships for Hong Kong and Mainland university graduates to receive training in maritime law, ship management and shipbroking.
The Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum is an annual event co-organised by the Ningbo Municipal People's Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to promote trade and economic co-operation between the two cities. It has been hosted alternately by Ningbo and Hong Kong since 2002. This year's event is being held in Ningbo today and tomorrow (September 18 and 19).
Mr Lai led a Hong Kong delegation to today's symposium on port and maritime services, of which the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council is a co-organiser.
The symposium was attended by representatives from the municipal government and shipping, port and logistics sectors of Ningbo-Hong Kong delegates who spoke at the symposium included the Chairman of the Hong Kong Container Terminal Operators Association, Mr Alan Lee; INCE & Co partner, Ms Rosita Lau; and Executive Director of Credit Agricole Asia Shipfinance Limited, Mr Keith Ho.
After the symposium, Mr Lai and the other Hong Kong delegates visited Ningbo Shipping Exchange and the Beilun Port Area of Ningbo Port.
Ends/Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:49
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