The sixth Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMC) will be held 22-23 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The two-day conference, the largest event of its kind in Asia, is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). This year’s ALMC will spotlight hot topics such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative and 13th Five-Year Plan as well as the rise of cross-border e-commerce. Around 80 luminaries from the logistics and maritime sectors will speak at the conference, exploring business opportunities arising from various game-changing industry trends.
“As an annual signature event for the logistics and maritime industries, the ALMC is an all-round platform for industry players to exchange ideas, and for Hong Kong to showcase its competitive edge as a logistics and maritime hub,” said Raymond Yip, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC. “Through a series of plenary sessions, forums, enlightening exhibitions and visits, industry professionals can gain the latest market intelligence and expand business connections.”
Mr Yip added that the HKTDC will be arranging more than 130 one-on-one business matching sessions to help exhibitors and participants foster new business collaborations during the event. “This year’s ALMC is expected to attract more than 2,000 business leaders from around 20 countries and regions. Nearly 40 per cent of the participants are expected to be users of logistics and maritime services, including manufacturers, traders and suppliers.”
This year’s exhibition is also scaled up, with nearly 100 exhibitors showcasing their e-logistics solutions, logistics, maritime and supply chain management and related services at ALMC.
Belt and Road, 13th Five-Year Plan & cross-border e-commerce spotlighted
Referencing the key themes of ALMC, prominent speakers will share their insights into major industry trends and developments with a focus on logistics, shipping, air freight and supply chain management.
The Belt and Road Initiative aims to promote connectivity among more than 60 Belt and Road countries in five key areas – policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and people-to-people bonds. It aspires to drive closer cross-border trading and generate opportunities for various industries. Hong Kong has long been recognised as an international maritime and logistics centre with its world-class logistics infrastructure and prime location. Together with the city’s trove of international experience and professional talents, Hong Kong is set to play a pivotal role in integrating the Belt and Road.
China’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) is the country’s blueprint for economic and social development. The Plan explicitly supports reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an international financial, shipping and trading hub for the region. With the rapid expansion of the maritime and logistics markets on the Chinese mainland as well as accelerating growth of cross-border e-commerce and its impact on retail and distribution models, many challenges and opportunities lie ahead for the logistics industry.
According to the China E-Commerce Research Centre, the number of mainland Haitao shoppers – consumers who buy overseas goods directly from foreign shopping websites and receive goods mailed directly to them by international logistics or forwarding companies – is expected to grow from 18 million in 2014 to 35.6 million by 2018. Over the same period, the amount spent on such transactions is expected to surge from Rmb150 billion to Rmb1 trillion.
ALMC to gather around 80 thought leaders
Around 80 industry experts and representatives of international brands will speak at the ALMC, including at the two high-profile plenary sessions. The first plenary entitled “China’s Grand Initiatives: Where are the Opportunities?” (22 November) will examine three key strategies of the Chinese mainland – the Belt and Road Initiative, Internet Plus and Made in China 2025 – and identify opportunities that these initiatives will create for the logistics and maritime industries. Speakers will include HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DP World; Zhao Huxiang, Vice Chairman, China Merchants Group; and Joseph Phi, President, LF Logistics.
The second plenary session under the theme “Cross-border E-commerce: Who Will Rule the Game?” (23 November) will feature such speakers as Dr Guo Dongbai, CTO, AliExpress; Zheng Changqing, Senior Director, eBay Inc; Andrey Zatsepin, Head of International Logistics, Ozon.ru; and Haruko Takachi, CEO, Japan Post International Logistics Co, Ltd. Participants will learn about the latest developments in the mainland’s cross-border e-commerce industry.
Various forums during ALMC will also explore topical issues under titles ranging from “What’s on the Horizon for Liner Shipping?” to “Tanker and Gas Trade Outlook” and “Omni-channel Strategy: Navigating the Future of Retail”.
The line-up of eminent speakers will include:
– Dr Qu Jian, Vice President, China Development Institute
– Dr John Cheh, Vice Chairman and CEO, Esquel Group
– Tommy Lui, Director & Group Chief Representative – Southern China, Li & Fung Development (China) Ltd
– Takeshi Kondo, General Director, Yusen Logistics (Vietnam) Co, Ltd
– Tan Hua Joo, Executive Consultant, Alphaliner
– Steve Saxon, Partner, Mckinsey & Company
– Tim Smith, Chairman, Maersk China Ltd and Chief Representative, North Asia, Maersk Group
– Richard Hiller, Chief Commercial Officer, MOL Liner Ltd
– Nigel Anton, Managing Director & Head, Shipping Finance, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd
– Knut Stangebye Olsen, Head of Research, Lorentzen & Stemoco AS
– Anthony Gurnee, CEO, Ardmore Shipping Corporation
– Henrik Hartzell, Managing Director, Far East, Heidmar
– Pieter Paul Wittgen, Co-Founder and COO, Grana.com
– Filippo Gori, Business Development Director, International Brands, Vip.com
The ALMC is supported by the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL) and the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board. It is also a flagship event of the Hong Kong Maritime Industry Week. The HKTDC has invited 20 global leaders in the logistics and shipping industries and representatives of internationally renowned enterprises to serve as honorary advisors to provide advice on the agenda and content of the ALMC.
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