LOGTECH Expo 2024 Officially Launched Today Over 30 Technology Solutions and Training on Smart and Green Logistics Showcased Industry Leaders Share Insights Comprehensive Support for the Logistics Industry's Upgrading and Transformation Encouraging the Development of the Industry Towards Smart and Green Logistics Through Effective Use of Government Funding Support

(Hong Kong, 12 June 2024) Organised by the Transport and Logistics Bureau of HKSARG, with the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) as the implementation partner, the "LOGTECH Expo 2024" was officially launched today (12 June 2024). This two-day expo, hosted at the HKPC Building, brings together more than 300 local business chamber leaders, SME representatives, industry partners, and logistics technology providers. The Expo is designed to disseminate the latest industry technology trends and discuss the strategic use of government funding to foster advancements toward smart and green logistics, thereby enhancing efficiency and productivity.

In the opening remarks at the expo, Ms. Mable Chan, JP, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics at the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR, stated that, faced with the digitalisation wave sweeping the globe, the rise of e-commerce, and the development of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), logistics industry in Hong Kong must keep pace and actively move towards smart logistics through technological innovation to stand out in intense competition. In light of this, the government has identified smart and sustainable green logistics as two major directions for the development of Hong Kong's logistics industry. As mentioned in the Action Plan on Modern Logistics Development promulgated by the HKSAR Government in October of last year, the government has also launched a comprehensive suite of measures to support the industry's upgrading and transformation, seizing the new trend of smart and green logistics.

Mr. Mohamed Butt, MH, Executive Director, Hong Kong Productivity Council, expressed that Hong Kong, as an important logistics hub in Asia, needs to strengthen its advantages to cope with the global supply chain reorganisation and regional competition. Since the implementation of the "Third-Party Logistics Service Provider Subsidy Pilot Scheme" (the Pilot Scheme) by the HKPC in 2020, 244 projects have been approved and funded, with the total amount of approved funding around HK$146 million. Since February this year, the cumulative funding ceiling for each applicant enterprise has increased to $2 million and the scope of funding has been extended to cover the application of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) technology solutions. Additionally, the HKPC has been appointed as the implementation partner of the “Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme" and the "Smart and Green Logistics Scheme" to support local promotional projects and related training courses, promoting sustainable development in the industry.

To help local logistics SMEs to keep abreast of the latest technological trends in the industry, the expo aims to bolster the logistics sector in nurturing more professionals for upgrading and transformation and encourage the development of the industry towards smart and green logistics by making good use of government funding support. The expo features over 30 booths and seminars, displaying various logistics technologies developed by local technology enterprises, including Internet of Things (IoT), RFID technology applications and technology network infrastructure, intelligent warehouse automation technology, and smart supply chain management technology, and introduces smart and green logistics training courses. The Secretariat of the Pilot Scheme also provides consultations on government funding applications for SMEs and industry professionals attending the event. Participants also joined themed guided tours and interactive experiences, gaining numerous insights that help the industry upgrade and transform towards smart and green logistics.

At the industry foresight forum, leaders and experts from industry chambers, including Mr. Willy Lin, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council, Mr Billy Wong, Chairman of the FHKI Group 21 (Transport & Logistics Services Council), Mr Alex Koo, Honorary Secretary of the Hong Kong Association of Freight forwarding and logistics, Ir Elsa YUEN, President of the Hong Kong Logistics Association, Ms Suki Cheung, President of the Hong Kong E-Commerce Logistics Association, shared their insights on how the Hong Kong logistics industry can develop new quality productivity to promote high-end, high-value-added logistics services under the theme “New Quality Productive Forces Empowering Logistics Sector". They explored from multiple perspectives the challenges and opportunities the Hong Kong logistics industry faces amid global economic slowdown and fluctuations in the external trade environment, including how the development of multimodal transport can enhance Hong Kong's key role in the Greater Bay Area logistics chain, cross-border e-commerce opportunities, and how the industry can reduce costs through logistics technology, provide high-quality, high-value-added smart logistics services, simultaneously develop ESG to promote sustainable logistics services, and establish competitive advantages to excel in intense competition.

The "LOGTECH Expo 2024" is designed to serve as a vital platform for industry stakeholders to share and exchange the latest insights, thereby collectively advancing the smart, sustainable, and high-quality evolution of Hong Kong's logistics sector. HKPC remains committed to collaborating closely with the industry, dedicating comprehensive efforts to ensure optimal utilisation of various programs, enhancing competitiveness, and striving towards the overarching goal of establishing Hong Kong as the premier modern smart logistics hub in Asia.

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Ms. Mable Chan, JP, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Government of the HKSAR, delivered the opening remarks at the “LOGTECH Expo 2024 today ”.

In the opening remarks, Hon. Frankie Yick, GBS, JP, LegCo Member, HKSAR encouraged SMEs to effectively utilise government resources to expedite their upgrading and transformation processes. He emphasised the importance of adopting advanced technologies and green solutions, aiming to progress toward smart and green logistics. This approach, he noted, is crucial for establishing Hong Kong as a leading smart logistics hub in Asia.

Mr. Willy Lin, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers' Council, stated that the business community should actively adopt innovative technologies and intelligent solutions to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs. Enterprises can also accelerate their digital transformation and push the Hong Kong logistics industry to new heights through government subsidy programs.

Ms. Mable Chan, JP, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Government of the HKSAR, (third from the left), Mr. Mohamed Butt, MH, Executive Director of Hong Kong Productivity Council (third from the right), Hon. Frankie Yick, GBS, JP, LegCo Member, HKSAR (second from the left), Hon. Frankie Yick, GBS, JP, LegCo Member, HKSAR (first right), Miss Amy Chan, Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Government of the HKSAR (second from the right) and Ms. Vivian Lin, Chief Operating Officer of Hong Kong Productivity Council (first left) jointly hosted the “LOGTECH Expo 2024” Opening Ceremony.

At the industry foresight forum moderated by veteran columnist and media professional Ms. Akina Fong (first left), leaders and experts from industry chambers, including (from second to the left) Mr. Willy Lin, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council, Mr Billy Wong, Chairman of the FHKI Group 21 (Transport & Logistics Services Council), Mr Alex Koo, Honorary Secretary of the Hong Kong Association of Freight forwarding and logistics, Ir Elsa YUEN, President of the Hong Kong Logistics Association, Ms Suki Cheung, President of the Hong Kong E-Commerce Logistics Association, shared their insights on how the Hong Kong logistics industry can develop new quality productivity to promote high-end, high-value-added logistics services under the theme “New Quality Productive Forces Empowering Logistics Sector”.

The expo features over 30 booths and seminars, displaying various logistics technologies developed by local technology enterprises, including Internet of Things (IoT), RFID technology applications and technology network infrastructure, intelligent warehouse automation technology, and smart supply chain management technology, and introduces smart and green logistics training courses.