Secretary for Transport & Logistics and Maritime & Port Board (MPB) Chairman Lam Sai-hung concluded his visit to Athens, Greece, today with a delegation of MPB members by visiting port facilities in Piraeus.
 
He was there to learn about the operation of the Greek port.
 
Mr Lam arrived in Athens yesterday and met Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy Christos Stylianides to exchange views on matters of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to further explore concrete co-operation opportunities.
 
In addition, Mr Lam and the delegation met the Union of Greek Shipowners to promote Hong Kong's high value-added maritime services and the work of the Hong Kong Shipping Registry.
 
Mr Lam then hosted a business dinner for Greek shipping companies and associations to strengthen connections and develop potential business prospects.
 
He pointed out that Hong Kong and Greece have long enjoyed a cordial and enduring relationship, with bilateral merchandise trade totalling about 200 million euros, an increase by around one-third of last year.
 
He also emphasised that the throughput tonnage between the two places also increased by 55% during the same period, amounting to 220,000 tonnes.
 
Mr Lam said: “This strong foundation of economic and people-to-people connections provides a solid basis for further deepening collaboration in the maritime domain.”
 
Given that Hong Kong is the gateway between Mainland China and the rest of the world, he added that he believes there are tremendous opportunities for Hong Kong and Greece to collaborate and capitalise on the city’s respective strengths in the port and maritime sector.