14 May, 2001 (Monday)

A delegation of the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board (PMB), led by the Secretary for Economic Services, Ms Sandra Lee and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board, Sir Gordon Wu, began a visit program to Europe today (14 May) to promote Hong Kong as the leading port and a major international maritime centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

During their stay in Europe, the delegation will visit key port and maritime communities to update the major consignees, shippers, logistics operators and shipping lines on the latest port and maritime developments in Hong Kong.

"The delegation will be meeting with the port authorities to exchange views on port development. They will also be meeting shipping lines and ship owners to exchange views on the latest shipping developments." Ms Lee said.

Other members of the delegation include the Chairman of PMB's Shipping Committee, Mr Frank Tsao; Shipping Committee member, Mr Liang Ming-hang; the Chairman of Hong Kong Shipowners' Association, Mr Andrew Chen; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Container Terminal Operators Association, Mr Eric Ip; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association, Mr Jim Poon; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers' Council, Mr Willy Lin; Director of Marine, Mr Tsui Shung-yiu and PMB Secretary, Mr Alex Fong.

To tie in with the government's new global programme to focus international attention on Hong Kong's position as Asia's world city, Ms Lee will also deliver keynote speeches in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Copenhagen and Brussels. Not only will she highlight the important role Hong Kong plays as a business and logistics hub for the Asia-Pacific region, Ms Lee will explain the reasons for the new brand Hong Kong promotion. In Brussels, she will launch the programme during the opening of a Hong Kong film festival.