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Developing
Trade and Logistics
27.
Hong Kong is the world's freest economy. It is also a
major international trading centre and a logistics
hub. Trade, logistics and related sectors
employ one quarter of our working population, with a
direct contribution to GDP of 29 per cent.
28.
On
the trade front, Hong Kong will continue to play an active role in the World
Trade Organization to improve multilateral trade
rules and systems. We
will, at the same time, keep up our efforts in
seeking to enter into more free trade agreements
with our trading partners.
29.
To
enhance the competitiveness of our logistics
industry, we need to provide a seamless system for
cargo movements and customs clearance.
We will construct an electronic advance cargo
information system and implement the On-Board
Trucker Information System on a trial basis, with
the aim of raising the operational efficiency of the
trucking industry.
To better equip our logistics practitioners,
we will work with the Hong Kong Productivity Council
to organise training programmes to help them master
job-related information and automation technologies.
In addition, the Economic Development and
Labour Bureau will continue discussion with the
industry on further ways to enhance its
competitiveness.
30.
As
for air transport, passenger and air cargo
throughput reached new highs last year, with 44.5
million travellers passing through the airport and
3.58 million tonnes of air cargo handled.
To consolidate Hong Kong's position as an aviation hub, our airport must
continuously enhance its efficiency, extend the
aviation network and expand its passenger and cargo
handling capacities. To
facilitate the long-term development of the civil
aviation industry, we will earmark about $3.1
billion to replace the existing air traffic control
system and build a new headquarters for the Civil
Aviation Department on the Airport Island.
In
addition, the Civil Aviation Department will enhance
existing flight procedures and air traffic control
technology and work in collaboration with the
aviation industry and the Airport Authority to
increase runway capacity further.
The Department will also continue discussion
with the aviation authorities of the Mainland and
Macao on ways to optimise airspace design in the region
and open up additional air routes. The
Authority is now inviting tenders for an additional
cargo terminal and assessing the need for a third
runway.
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