HKETO Newsroom

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.