Tarmac trade: Hong Kong International Airport will see more cargo freighter parking stands and its air cargo terminal facilities expanded to enhance trade.

Hong Kong will bolster trade ties, enhance cargo flow and promote further application of information technology. Chief Executive Donald Tsang said in his Policy Address today that these areas are vital to Hong Kong's continued growth.

The Government is keen to invest in research infrastructure and manpower development, and to promote design. It will also encourage collaboration between business and research institutes to conduct joint applied research, enhance the technological level of industries and develop high value-added products.

Trade, logistics

Mr Tsang said the Government will seek to enter into more economic and trade arrangements with Hong Kong's trading partners, so the city's goods and services can gain access to overseas markets under more favourable conditions.

As large volumes of cargo are now being transported via river from the western side of the Pearl River Delta, the Government will amend the law to introduce multiple entry permits for river trade vessels, reduce permit fees, and streamline application and entry procedures.

To enhance air cargo handling at Hong Kong International Airport, the number of cargo freighter parking stands will be increased and its air cargo terminal facilities expanded.

To enhance the efficiency of cross-boundary cargo flow and inspection, an express clearance system will be introduced at the Liaobu inland control point when it comes into operation later this year.

"To consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international centre for financial services, trade and shipping, we need to upgrade our local economic infrastructure gearing it to support independently innovative and high value-added industries," Mr Tsang said. "The Government accepts the responsibility to create favourable conditions for this to happen, covering the information technology, technology, cultural and creative industries."

IT

Mr Tsang said the Government will promote the application of information technology, such as in e-Government where it will provide more user-friendly integrated public services through a one-stop portal.

A regulatory framework promoting innovation and competition to a level on par with advanced international standards, will be adopted.

"Consumers stand to gain in these developments. We are prepared to introduce legislation in the 2006-07 legislative year to effect the establishment of the new Communications Authority."

A public consultation will be held by year's-end on the policy of radio spectrum management, aimed at ensuring more flexible and effective utilisation of the radio spectrum as a public resource, facilitating technological advances and the evolution of new business models.