Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (HKETO), Ms Emily Mo, spoke at the webinar hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Toronto), HKETO and other organisations on September 29. The webinar discussed ways to mitigate the supply chain risks and tapping business possibilities in the new normal with particular reference to the Canada-Asia traffic flow.
In delivering opening remarks at the webinar entitled “Canada-Asia Supply Chain and Logistics – Trends, Challenges and Opportunities in the New Normal”, Ms Mo first remarked that Hong Kong enjoys a strategic location and world-class infrastructure. “In the Global Connectedness Index released by DHL last year, Hong Kong’s ranking in terms of the depth of global connectedness was second best in the world,” Ms Mo said.
Located in the heart of Asia, Hong Kong is within a four-hour flight of most major Asian cities and a five-hour flight from half of the world’s population. Around 120 airlines link Hong Kong to about 220 destinations worldwide. “With the new and third runway to come into service next year, the Hong Kong International Airport will be able to handle an annual cargo volume of around 10 million tonnes, more than a double of the existing throughput,” Ms Mo noted.
Ms Mo also highlighted that Hong Kong is a sea transport hub and was ranked the ninth busiest container port in the world in 2020. “We are offering nine container terminals for sea transport, comprising 24 container berths for handling over 20 million TEUs a year in total,” Ms Mo added.
In term of the land transportation, Ms Mo said that the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge forms a new efficient connection between the east and west banks of Pearl River Delta to facilitate freight transport over land between Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macao.
Apart from the well-developed transportation infrastructures, Hong Kong’s business sector is also renowned for its efficiency and professionalism. “Our logistics operators are committed to applying smart technology, such as robotics and AI, to enhance operational efficiency and productivity,” Ms Mo remarked.
Before closing, Ms Mo stressed that with the hit of COVID-19 last year, China is the only major economy to see positive economic growth. Being the gateway to China and in the heart of Asia, Hong Kong is blessed with numerous opportunities, especially when Hong Kong’s free trade agreements with both the Mainland China and ASEAN are in full effect. China’s National 14th Five-Year Plan has also raised its support for Hong Kong to enhance its status as an international hub for logistics and aviation at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
Chaired by the Executive Director of the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association Mr Bruce Rodgers, the webinar was joined by other speakers including Acting Senior Trade Commissioner of the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong Ms Krista Eisan, Vice President of Public Affairs of Global Container Terminals in Vancouver Mr Marko Dekovic, Senior Vice President of Import Trades of MSC Canada Mr Tim Harrington, Vice President of Cargo Americas of Cathay Pacific Airways Mr Fred Ruggerio, President & CEO of Trade Link International Ltd. Ms Anne Waldes, Head of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong (Canada) Mr Christopher Chen and HKTDC Director for Canada Mr Andrew Yui.
香港經貿處處長參與網上研討會推介香港的供應鍊及物流業
香港駐多倫多經濟貿易辦事處(香港經貿處)處長巫菀菁於九月二十九日出席由香港貿易發展局加拿大辦事處(香港貿發局)、港加商會(多倫多分會)、香港經貿處及其他機構合辦的網上研討會並致辭。該研討會旨在探討於新常態下如何減低加拿大與亞洲之間的供應鏈風險及把握這時期的商機。
巫菀菁在「加拿大與亞洲的供應鍊和物流 — 新常態下的趨勢、挑戰和機遇」網絡研討會上致開幕詞,她首先指出,香港擁有優越的地理位置及世界級的基礎設施。巫菀菁表示:「DHL 去年發表的『全球連通性指數』中,香港在全球互聯互通深度方面排名世界第二。」
香港位於亞洲中心位置,距離許多亞洲主要城市僅四小時航程,相距全球一半人口也只是五小時航程,約有120家航空公司提供往來香港及全球約220個目的地的服務。巫菀菁表示:「隨著第三條新跑道明年正式啟用,香港國際機場每年將可處理貨運量達到約 1 000 萬噸,是現時吞吐量的兩倍。」
巫菀菁同時強調,香港也是海運樞紐,是二O二O年位列全球第九最繁忙的貨櫃港口。巫菀菁補充說:「香港的海上運輸共提供九個貨櫃碼頭,包括24個泊位,總處理能力每年超過2 000萬個標準貨櫃單位。」
在陸路運輸方面,巫菀菁指出,港珠澳大橋是珠三角東西岸的高效連接橋樑,為香港、中國內地及澳門之間的陸路運輸提供便利。
除了完善的交通基礎建設外,香港的商界亦以高效率和專業見稱。巫菀菁說:「香港的物流營運商為了提高運營效率及生產力,一直致力使用智能技術,例如機器裝置及人工智能。」
最後,巫菀菁強調,去年雖然受疫情影響,中國是全球唯一錄得經濟增長的主要經濟體。香港作為通往中國內地的門戶及位於亞洲中心的優越位置,得天獨厚,加上與中國內地及東盟簽訂的《自由貿易協定》已全面生效,實在是充滿商機。國家在《十四五規劃綱要》中亦提出對香港的支持,提升香港在粵港澳大灣區發展扮演國際物流及航運樞紐地位。
網上研討會由加拿大國際貨運公司協會行政總監Bruce Rodgers主持,其他講者包括加拿大駐香港總領事館署理高級貿易專員 Krista Eisan、溫哥華全球貨櫃碼頭公共事務副總裁Marko Dekovic、MSC Canada進口貿易高級副總裁Tim Harrington、國泰航空美洲貨運部副總裁Fred Ruggerio、Trade Link International Ltd 總裁兼首席行政總監Anne Waldes、投資推廣署加拿大辦事處投資推廣總監陳立智及香港貿易發展局加拿大代表芮紹能。