CC Tung, the convenor of a focus group on Maritime, Logistics and Infrastructure has called on Hong Kong to leverage its air transport, shipping and high-value logistics experience to strengthen its status as an international maritime centre, air transport and logistics hub.

The OOCL head's comments were contained in a report submitted to Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang on "China's 11th Five-Year Plan and the Development of Hong Kong", which attempts sets out an action plan on the direction of the city's economic development.

The proposals contained in the focus group's report will be studied by policy secretaries and priority will be given to items to be launched in the first half of the year.

The focus group on maritime, logistics and infrastructure, which was one of four focusing on economic sectors in Hong Kong, came up with nine strategies and 27 specific actions after consultation with industry representatives and academics.

They include specific measures to strengthen Hong Kong's competitive edge in providing high-value supply chain logistics services, enhancing cost-effectiveness of cross-boundary freight transport, bolstering the maritime industry and Hong Kong's position as an international and regional aviation hub. The plan also sets out a road map to improve the use and management of airspace to raise the international airport's capacity.

The group also proposed that a high-level co-ordination mechanism be put in place to formulate a comprehensive strategy, that a forward-looking perspective in cross-boundary transport development be adopted, and that there be more direct and convenient links established between Hong Kong and major mainland China cities and airports.

While noting intense competition from neighbouring areas, especially in port-related logistics services, the focus group considered that the policy direction would both provide growth impetus for the local economy as well as complement China's economic development.