The Secretary for Transport and Housing and Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB), Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, will depart on Sunday night (February 26) to visit London, the United Kingdom (UK) and Hamburg, Germany. He will lead a delegation comprising members of the HKMPB and representatives of the maritime industry to promote Hong Kong as an international maritime centre.

     In London, Professor Cheung and the delegation will have meetings with various maritime-related organisations, including the International Group of Protection & Indemnity Clubs, the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, the International Chamber of Shipping, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, and the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners. They will also meet with local shipbrokers and representatives of the industry to exchange views on the development of the global maritime industry and explore the possibility for them to develop their business in Hong Kong.

     Professor Cheung and the delegation will attend a seminar and networking lunch co-organised by the HKMPB, the Cass Business School and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Professor Cheung will deliver a speech on forging closer collaboration between Hong Kong and London in maritime services. During the stay in London, he will also meet with the Minister of State at the Department for Transport of the UK, Mr John Hayes, and have lunch with leaders of Maritime UK and Maritime London.

     On March 2, Professor Cheung and the delegation will be in Hamburg where they will attend a seminar co-organised by the HKMPB and the HKTDC. Professor Cheung will introduce Hong Kong's maritime services in his opening address at the seminar. In addition, Professor Cheung will meet with the Senator for Economy, Transport and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Mr Frank Horch.

     Before concluding his visit, Professor Cheung will attend a luncheon seminar organised by the Hong Kong Aircraft Leasing and Aviation Finance Association in London on March 3. He will meet with representatives from international aircraft leasing companies and financial institutions to promote a plan to attract offshore aircraft leasing activities to Hong Kong and the dedicated tax regime proposed for this purpose.

     Professor Cheung will return to Hong Kong in the afternoon on March 4. During his absence, the Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Yau Shing-mu, will be the Acting Secretary for Transport and Housing.

Ends/Friday, February 24, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:30

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