13 June, 2003 (Friday)

The Government announced today (13 June) the establishment of the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council (MIC) and the Hong Kong Port Development Council (PDC) to further develop and promote the maritime and port industries of Hong Kong. These two Councils replace the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board.

Mr Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, has been appointed chairman of both Councils. Mr Ip is also the chairman of the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL).

"The MIC will focus on the promotion of Hong Kong as an international maritime centre and the development of the maritime industry. It will advise the Government on the formulation of measures and initiatives to further develop Hong Kong's maritime industry. It will assist the Government to promote the Hong Kong Shipping Register, the shipowning and ship management services, and the development of human resources for the maritime cluster," a Government spokesman said.

"The PDC will advise the Government on the port development strategy and port planning, including the development of new cargo handling facilities and container terminal facilities to meet future demands. It will also assist the Government in the promotion of Hong Kong as a regional hub port and a leading container port in the world," the Government spokesman added.

The Government decides to re-organise the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board (PMB) into the two new and separate advisory bodies, after taking advice from the Port and Maritime Board. A recently-completed study on how to strengthen Hong Kong's role as an international maritime centre recommended that a dedicated, high-level advisory body made up of private sector and Government officials should be created to enhance and further consolidate the strengths and competitiveness of Hong Kong as a major international maritime centre.

"The recommendation was endorsed by the PMB at its meeting in April this year and the Government took the opportunity of the expiry of the current PMB term in June 2003 to effect the changes," the Government spokesman said.

"The maritime industry is one of the major industries in Hong Kong, providing a wide range of services and contributing about 2.5 per cent of Hong Kong's GDP. The creation of MIC shows that the Government attaches great importance to the maritime industry and the development of maritime services of Hong Kong," the spokesman said. "The setting up of the PDC will also facilitate timely and in-depth discussion of port development strategy for the next two decades which is a major policy initiative of the Government," he added.

The Government also announced the appointment of members to the two new Councils with effect from 1 June 2003 to 31 December 2004. The appointment of the members has been gazetted today and the membership lists of the two Councils are as follows:

Maritime Industry Council
Chairman
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour

Vice Chairman
Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Economic Development)

Members
Mr Dan BRADSHAW
Mr George CHAO
Mr Peter CREMERS
Mr Robert GROOL
Mr Tim HUXLEY
Mr KOO Kou Hwa
The Hon Ms Miriam LAU
Mr LIANG Ming Hang
Mr LIU Guoyuan
Mr Jim POON
Mr Russell SHIELDS
Mr Frank TSAO
Director of Marine

Port Development Council

Chairman
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour

Vice Chairman
Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Economic Development)

Members
Mr Canning FOK
Dr FU Yuning
Mr James HUGHES-HALLETT
Mr Raymond KWOK
The Hon Ms Miriam LAU
Mr Gonzaga LI
Mr Willy LIN
Mr LIU Guoyuan
Mr Jim POON
Prof Victor SIT
Mr TUNG Chee Chen
Mr David WONG
Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands)
Director of Marine
Director of Planning