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The government has announced an action plan to develop Hong Kong into a leading international maritime centre, and promote the sustainable development of the industry.
The action plan on maritime and port development strategy, unveiled by the Transport and Logistics Bureau on Wednesday, lays out key areas of focus, including developing Hong Kong as a green and smart port.
The plan also puts forward a series of actions to promote the development of the industry by enhancing the competitiveness of its ports, developing high value-added maritime services and strengthening the talent pool.
“With its superior geographical location, unique institutional advantages, free economic system and rich experience of international business and trade, Hong Kong is well-positioned to become the world’s leading international maritime centre,” Lam Sai-hung, the secretary for transport and logistics, said at a media briefing during the launch of the plan.
“We must actively enhance the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong’s maritime and port industry, and promote the industry’s sustainable development to further contribute to the country’s high-quality development.”
The action plan lays out 10 strategies and 32 actions to lift Hong Kong’s status as an international maritime centre, including developing the city as a green shipping hub with zero carbon emissions, facilitating smart port development and promoting maritime digitalisation. It also aims to enhance Hong Kong’s maritime influence through Greater Bay Area and international cooperation, as well as the exploration of further tax concessions to attract international maritime enterprise.
The maritime and port industry is an important component of Hong Kong’s economy, contributing about HK$111.8 billion (US$14.3 billion), or 4.1 per cent of the city’s gross domestic product (GDP), and about 78,400 jobs, or 2.1 per cent of total employment, according to the action plan.
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