The Government will merge the Maritime Industry Council and the Port Development Council to form the new Maritime & Port Board, Chief Executive CY Leung announced at his 2016 Policy Address today.
Chaired by the Secretary for Transport & Housing, the board will promote manpower development, marketing and research on all fronts to develop a high value-added maritime services sector.
It will also assist the Government in formulating strategies and policies to enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international transportation centre and spur further growth in the maritime services cluster.
The policy address also noted the Airport Authority will establish a civil aviation academy to nurture local and regional aviation management talent, while the MTR Corporation will set up an academy to train personnel in rail management and operation.
On financial services, Mr Leung said the Government will continue to broaden the legal infrastructure and create a favourable tax environment to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as a premier asset management hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
He added that $100 million has been earmarked to implement a three-year pilot scheme for enhancing manpower training for the insurance sector, and the asset and wealth management sector.
