The 12th edition of the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC), jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in person and online. This year's ALMAC is expected to attract over 14,000 viewers from over 50 countries and regions. At this annual signature event for the maritime, air freight, logistics and supply chain management sectors and shippers from different industries, more than 90 industry experts and leaders will share their insights at close to 30 sessions.Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC welcomed international delegates to the conference, saying: "In the past year, economies have confronted a myriad of challenges, not least the pandemic, war, inflation and rising energy prices. No country or region, including Hong Kong, is immune to these developments. This attests to how connected our world is today. We may live on opposite sides of the world from each other, but the phenomenon of globalisation has, particularly over the last few decades, intertwined our fates ever closer. The logistics, maritime and aviation industries are a principal driver and guardian of our interconnectedness. In today's increasingly globalised world, they flourish most in an environment of stability. The resilience and sustainability of global supply chains guarantee their continued growth. The disruption and delays caused by the pandemic in the past three years have highlighted an urgent need to assess how we can manage supply chains differently, so they are better equipped to withstand future challenges."
Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, officiated at the online opening, saying: "There is clear and compelling direction in the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the development plan for the Greater Bay Area. Together, they confirm Hong Kong's future as both an international shipping centre and a premier international aviation hub. To achieve those goals, Hong Kong will continue to integrate into our country's overall economic development. We will fully embrace the boundless opportunities they present us, in logistics - and a great deal more. There is, strategic direction, too, in this year's theme: 'The Future of the Sustainable Supply Chain: Connectivity, Collaboration, Innovation.' It hammers home what we need to realise the future we want."
International speakers analyse the latest trends in the global logistics, shipping and air freight industries
This year's conference featured a wide range of panel discussions and forums with a strong line-up of speakers. Global industry leaders discussed international and regional collaboration, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), innovation and technology, and sustainable developments from a variety of perspectives.
In the keynote address this morning, Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy-Director General of the World Trade Organization, examined how governments and businesses in the international arena may join forces to mitigate the impact of supply chain disruption.
"Challenges and opportunities are the two sides of the same coin. To address common challenges in global supply chains, we will rely on connectivity, collaboration and innovation," said Zhang.
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