Exclusive Hong Kong—Asian Aerospace, which has always been held in Singapore, moves to Hong Kong this year, and the choice of Hong Kong signifies the increasing attraction of China.
     In the past two decades, the aerospace and air cargo attraction core of Asia has moved north.
     Right now (September 3-6 2007), Asian Aerospace 2007 at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo is integrated with three events: Aircraft Interiors-Expo Asia 2007, Air Freight Asia 2007 and APATS 2007.
     But the event that is getting juices flowing this week is Air Freight Asia.
     At the Air Freight Asia Conference, that for the first time becomes part of Asian Aerospace, Stanley Hui Hon-chung, CEO of Hong Kong airport, delivered a powerful two-fisted keynote speech.

“The air cargo core of Asia has moved north.”

     "Air freight is a potent economic force, creating millions of jobs in the global economy and it is indisputably one of the world's most important industries.
     “Air freight offers an even more promising future by delivering lower costs and enabling the world industry's 'just-in-time' philosophy" Mr. Hui said.
     Emphasizing that the freight industry should continue to improve cost-efficiency and service reliability by controlling costs and cash flow, Mr. Hui turned to comment on the air cargo industry with China and Hong Kong.
     “The air cargo industry is worth USD 3 trillion a year with annual growth of around 6%, and much of this growth is generated by China.
     "China will be a 30 million ton freight market by 2020 and with the infrastructure investment that's going on in airports and elsewhere, that growth is bound to continue.
     “Hong Kong's favorite position, close to the China’s industrial power-house of the Pearl River Delta, is important for all the cargo and logistics companies in the country.
     “Hong Kong connects mainland China not only through trucks that forward cargoes onwards from Hong Kong airport, but also barges traveling among the 17 ports in the Pearl River Delta region and the growing number of road and rail links being developed.
     “With China’s economy heading the list of strongest economic powers, it's not surprising that the outlook for the air freight business in Hong Kong, and the region as a whole is optimistic and positive.” Mr. Hui declared.
David