Business booster: The Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council and the Hong Kong Port Development Council have been established to further develop and promote the maritime and port industries.

The Hong Kong Maritime Industry Council and the Hong Kong Port Development Council have been established to further develop and promote the maritime and port industries.

Chaired by Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip, these two councils have replaced the Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board.

The martime council focuses on the promotion of Hong Kong as an international maritime centre and the development of the maritime industry.

It advises and assists the Government in promoting the Hong Kong Shipping Register, the shipowning and ship-management services, and the development of human resources for the maritime sector.

The port council advises the Government on port development strategy and port planning, including the development of new cargo-handling facilities and container-terminal facilities to meet future demands.

It also assists the Government in promoting Hong Kong as a regional hub port and a world-leading container port.

The Government also announced the appointment of members to the two councils with effect from June 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004. The members' appointment was gazetted today.

Members of the Maritime Industry Council are: Secretary for Economic Development & Labour (Chairman), Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour (Economic Development) (Vice Chairman), Dan Bradshaw, George Chao, Peter Cremers, Robert Grool, Tim Huxley, Koo Kou-hwa, Miriam Lau, Liang Ming-hang, Liu Guoyuan, Jim Poon, Russell Shields, Frank Tsao, and the Director of Marine.