In her maiden Policy Address last month Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor set out 251 new policies. She did not address the shipping industry in great length. But the policy plan did specify Hong Kong's position as an "international maritime center" and a "diversified" one; it also outlined the comprehensive strategy to bolster and promote the development of Hong Kong's maritime industry and high value added maritime services.

Revealing its short-term goal, the government vowed to attract overseas maritime enterprises to build their presence in Hong Kong. One of the milestone successes in this regard was the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the London Maritime Services Association in September this year. The agreement aims to further strengthen collaboration in promoting high value added maritime services and training of maritime practitioners. Trade facilitation measures, including strengthening the city's shipping register services, were also listed.

The most important touch was ensuring the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, an official consultative organization established last year, will actively work with the shipping industry to formulate a "comprehensive strategy", establishing the crucial role of the government in the future development of local shipping industry.

In all fairness, despite the board falling short of industry expectations, it has managed to speak and act for the shipping industry in the past year.

source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2017-11/15/content_34548829.htm