2 June, 2002 (Sunday)

A Hong Kong delegation, led by the Secretary for Economic Services, Ms Sandra Lee, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board (PMB), Sir Gordon Wu, will begin tomorrow (3 June) its visit programme in Greece to promote Hong Kong as an international maritime centre in Asia and to update shipowners and maritime related companies the attractiveness of establishing business in Hong Kong.

The delegation's visit to Greece is in support of the "Hong Kong Pavilion" exhibition at the Posidonia 2002 International Shipping Exhibition in Piraeus.

Other members of the delegation include the Chairman of PMB's Shipping Committee, Mr Frank Tsao; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association, Mr Koo Kou Hwa; the Chairman of the Shipping Registry Sub-Committee, Mr Liang Ming-hang; and Director of Marine, Mr Tsui Shung-yiu.

During their stay in Greece, the delegation will meet the Greek Minister of Mercantile Marine, Mr George Anomeritis, to exchange views on maritime matters and to discuss how Hong Kong and Greece develop closer links on shipping issues. The delegation will also meet with the Greek shipowners and shipping related communities to update them on the latest developments on maritime services and the excellent business environment in Hong Kong.

The delegation will also visit the "Hong Kong Pavilion" to help promote Hong Kong's maritime services to visitors and delegates from all over the world.

Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board, the Marine Department and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the "Hong Kong Pavilion" exhibition booth is aimed at putting across the message to the shipping communities, including ship owners and major shipping companies, on Hong Kong's edges of doing shipping businesses. The exhibition will not only showcase the comprehensive maritime services provided in Hong Kong but also feature Hong Kong's business-friendly environment and facilities which make Hong Kong the ideal regional base for shipowning, ship management, ship finance, ship insurance and ship broking activities.

Participants of the Hong Kong Pavilion are China National Foreign Trade Transportation (Group) Corporation - SINOTRANS; Cosco (HK) Shipping Co. Ltd; Credit Agricole Indosuez; Eurasia Group of Companies; Hong Kong Container Terminal Operators Association Limited; Hong Kong Shipowners Association; Hong Kong Shippers' Council; HUD Group; IMC Holdings Ltd; Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd; River Trade Terminal Co. Ltd; South China Towing company Limited; Wallem Group Ltd; and Wayfoong Shipping Services.

Posidonia 2002 is the eighteenth biennial International Shipping Exhibition. It has attracted about 70 countries with over 1,500 exhibitors participating. Being one of the biggest shipping exhibitions in the world maritime calendar, the Posidonia provides excellent business opportunities for every sector of the global maritime industry.