Secretary for Transport & Logistics and chair of the Logistics Development Council Mable Chan, listened to the logistics industry’s views on the US’ reckless tariff imposition at a council meeting held today.
She also discussed with the trade ways to tackle the situation together, including a further increase in the so-called reciprocal tariffs.
Ms Chan noted that although the industry is worried about the ongoing uncertainty of the trade environment, it remains firm against the adversary and is actively exploring ways to cope with the situation.
She emphasised that the Transport & Logistics Bureau will be in solidarity with the trade and counter the challenge to Hong Kong and the industry together with determination and confidence, adding that the bureau will play a leading role in providing more specific guidance on industry development and assisting the industry in coping with market restructuring.
To this end, the bureau will adopt five major strategies: exploring emerging markets; strengthening collaboration with ports located in the Greater Bay Area with a view to developing new cargo sources together; exempting the import and export licence requirements for certain products to attract more transshipment cargo; deepening international port and shipping co-operation; and expanding the maritime and aviation networks.
The ultimate aim is to identify new growth points for Hong Kong’s logistics industry, thereby consolidating and enhancing the city’s status and competitiveness as an international maritime centre, international aviation hub and international logistics hub.
Meanwhile, the bureau will also work with Customs and other relevant government departments to implement more initiatives to facilitate the industry’s development, thereby further enhancing the city’s role as a transshipment hub.
Such trade facilitation measures include the expansion of the Single E-lock Scheme, the Free Trade Agreement Transshipment Facilitation Scheme and the Air-Land Fresh Lane.