HKCTOA

Strategic Geographical Location

165 years ago, Hong Kong was a small fishing village off the South China coast. Today, it is one of the world's largest trading entities in terms of merchandise value with total trade amounting to US$651 billion in the year 2006. As with any economy built on trade rather than an abundance of natural resources, Hong Kong had to rely heavily upon its port infrastructure. The Port handled about 80% of Hong Kong's trade by weight.

		Endowed with deep-water levels, a silt-free natural harbour strategically located along the major sea route and with the Chinese Mainland providing a huge cargo base, Hong Kong has become a sea transport hub in Asia.

	Free Trade Port
	Hong Kong has, since its beginning been a free port to all ships without discrimination. There are very few controls on imports, exports or re-exports in Hong Kong. Where formalities exist in relation to import and export licensing, they are minimal and many products do not require licences. This advantage, together with the opening up of China, has resulted in Hong Kong becoming one of the busiest container ports in the world.

	Business Friendly and the Most Important South China Hub Port
	Since its formation, HKCTOA has worked closely with various Government departments and private sector agencies to promote the port of Hong Kong. In cooperation with the Hong Kong Port Development Council (PDC), the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), the Hong Kong Shippers' Council (HKSC) and the Hong Kong Liner Shipping Association (HKLSA), delegates from these bodies and HKCTOA have visited Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United States of America to promote the port. Our message to major shippers, consignees, freight forwarders and shipping companies remains that Hong Kong continues to be uniquely business friendly, a free port and the most important South China hub port, offering reliability, flexibility and quality service. The Association also participates in various maritime and logistics events locally and overseas.