LOGSCOUNCIL Plans for the Future Amidst Challenges

The Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL) held its fifth meeting today (24 April 2003) to review progress made in the first quarter and discuss the way forward for major initiatives.

"At the meeting, members noted that despite the outbreak of Atypical Pneumonia, with concerted efforts the local logistics industry as a whole had stood up to the challenge. The impact on daily operation has been minimal, and the overall performance of the freight industry remains strong," said Mr. Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour and LOGSCOUNCIL Chairman. "The industry's resilience reinforces our confidence in the logistics sector as one of Hong Kong's economic pillars."

"To ensure that the logistics sector will move from strength to strength, we will spare no effort to plan for the future," Mr Ip added. "To facilitate early implementation of the Digital Trade and Transportation Network (DTTN) System, submission of proposals on development of the DTTN to the LOGSCOUNCIL Secretariat will close on 30 April 2003. Separately, the Government has also started the site selection process for the development of a Value Added Logistics Park at North Lantau by the private sector. These two major initiatives will significantly enhance the overall competitiveness of our logistics industry," he explained.

"In the meantime, we are developing tailor-made courses to cater for the practical training needs of logistics SMEs, and will further explore with the Trade and Industry Department how best to make use of existing SME funding schemes to meet identified specific financing needs of logistics SMEs, including those for promoting IT application."

He went on to say, "In the first quarter of 2003, three exhibition-cum-seminars were organized for senior secondary students to inform them of employment opportunities in the logistics sector. Another round of similar activities will be organized within this year, in addition to other opportunities for exchange of experience with local and overseas logistics executives and academics."

"To showcase our logistics capabilities to an international audience, we are actively pursuing proposals to organise logistics conferences in Hong Kong later in the year." Mr Ip said.

The next LOGSCOUNCIL meeting will be held in late July 2003.