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Co-ordinating Economic and Infrastructural Projects,
Facilitating Logistics Development

42.      The development of Lantau is vital for our future. In the next decade, we expect to focus on the development of economic and infrastructural projects there. The Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address in January that a Lantau Economic and Infrastructural Development Co-ordination Task Force would be established to draw up, from a "macro" perspective, a master blueprint for the future development of Lantau. The Task Force will co-ordinate the economic and infrastructural development of Lantau, following the principle of sustainable development and balancing environmental, social and economic considerations. This will ensure that the various projects can be expedited and completed on schedule. In mid-February, I convened the first meeting of the Task Force, at which several development projects were tentatively identified.

43.      The logistics industry, one of the major industries of Hong Kong, provides many employment opportunities. We must reinforce our position as Asia's premier international logistics hub. The Task Force has decided to develop a Value-Added Logistics Park on Lantau as soon as practicable, to provide one-stop integrated logistics services and induce more high value-added cargo to pass through Hong Kong. For the long-term development of the logistics industry, we will expand our cross-boundary transport network and other infrastructural facilities in order to maintain our competitive advantage amid rapid logistics and port development in neighbouring areas.

44.      In terms of international air cargo throughput, Hong Kong leads the world. The Airport Authority is actively discussing specific co-operation proposals with individual airports in the PRD, including Shenzhen and Zhuhai. These proposals aim to attract more passengers and cargo from the PRD to use Hong Kong International Airport as a gateway, thereby strengthening our status as an international and regional aviation centre.
 
 

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2003 | Important notices
Last revision date : 10 March, 2004