Following is the opening remarks by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board and Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, at the Hong Kong Maritime Week 2022 Opening Ceremony today (November 21):

Distinguished guests, friends from the maritime community, ladies and gentlemen,

     Good morning. First of all, let me extend my warmest welcome to you all for joining Hong Kong Maritime Week 2022. I am delighted to see so many friends, old and new, from home and afar.

     2022 marks the sixth edition of Hong Kong Maritime Week, which has been developed into a signature event for Hong Kong. We are proud to bring together the maritime community round the globe to advance key industry issues and exchange ideas to bring the sector forward. For the very first time, we have engaged several international maritime bodies as support organisations to promote our Maritime Week to audiences worldwide. Special welcome to the Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping who have come to Hong Kong to join this week's events in person.

     The National 14th Five-Year Plan supports consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international maritime centre and the development of high-value-added maritime services in Hong Kong. The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) also expresses such support. 

     Our hub status is characterised by the presence of a strong maritime community. We have nearly 900 maritime-related companies operating in Hong Kong, providing a great variety of shipping services. According to a recent study by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, the maritime industry is estimated to have contributed 3.7 per cent as a whole to Hong Kong's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2020, that equals to value added of about HK$94 billion. It also contributed to 4.5 per cent of the total employment or around 167 000 jobs in the same year.

     It is of the utmost importance to keep the maritime cluster vibrant. With the key contributions of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board and the industry, the Government will continue to take proactive measures to fuel the development of the maritime industry. Some examples include implementing tax concessions for shipping enterprises, the smart port initiative, and new schemes for maritime manpower development. At the same time, we will always take advantage of community efforts to tell our good stories and showcase Hong Kong's unique strengths. There is no better opportunity to do so than Hong Kong Maritime Week.

     This year, over 40 events are staged by local and overseas partners during Hong Kong Maritime Week. They range from international conferences and forums to family-oriented activities such as visits and a family fun day.

     Let me highlight a couple of key events. The Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference, our flagship event which requires little introduction, will be held tomorrow. Apart from popular programmes organised by Mare Forum and Seatrade Maritime, there are several events under our new topics, namely "Building up of maritime talent pool", and "GBA development". Last but not least, the Economist Impact's World Ocean Summit Asia-Pacific Insight Hour is going to be held in this room shortly after this opening ceremony.

     On behalf of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for your participation and support. I wish Hong Kong Maritime Week 2022 great success and I am looking forward to the insightful exchanges in different forums among the leaders of the maritime industry. Thank you.

Ends/Monday, November 21, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:59

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