A warmest welcome to you all to the 12th edition of the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference. Building upon the success in the past years, this Conference provides an ideal platform for distinguished industry practitioners and experts to exchange views and share experience on the current state and the future of the logistics sector and its many interrelated industries and businesses.

With our prime location, world-class transport infrastructure and abundance of talents in legal, financial and insurance services, Hong Kong has long been regarded as an international shipping centre and aviation hub, as well as a leading logistics hub in the region. Being one of the four pillar industries of Hong Kong, the trading and logistics industry plays a crucial role in our economic development, contributing to about one-fifth of our GDP. Hong Kong is also home to one of the top ten container ports in the world, and the Hong Kong International Airport is the world’s busiest international cargo airport.

As an ideal gateway linking the East and the West, Hong Kong will continue to gear up to serve Mainland China and the rest of the world, and proactively make the most of development opportunities brought by national strategies including the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt and Road Initiative. We strive to promote closer cooperation with the Mainland in aviation, maritime and logistics development, and achieve better integration into the national development so as to complement the advantages and achieve mutual benefits.

Finally, I wish the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference a resounding success and all of you a fruitful time.