For the first time in three years, the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics (HAFFA) gathered in person to celebrate the 57^th year of the influential trade organization. HAFFA members joined the association’s Committee and secretariat at the Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Kowloon East where guest of honour Mr. Lam Sai Hung, GBS, JP, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Transport and Logistics Bureau, and guest speaker The Hon. Frankie Yick, SBS, JP, LegCo Member under the Transport Functional Constituency were among many prominent industry figures in attendance.

Addressing the more than 620 guests, HAFFA Chairman Mr. Gary Lau reiterated the importance of Hong Kong’s freight and logistics industry realising its potential as a key player in the success of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and reflected on the association’s milestone achievements over the last twelve months.

A fundamental and potentially devastating issue facing the industry over the last year, and one where HAFFA has played a pivotal role, has been the changes to legislation governing the transshipment of cargo in the re-export of e-cigarette products via Hong Kong. A vigorous campaign of government engagement to reverse the resulting catastrophic impact on the industry, while at the same time offering secure alternative solutions, has seen HAFFA play a leading role in driving legislative amendments.

“HAFFA is gratified the Government is open to its members’ concerns and to seeking an optimal solution whereby the health of both the public and the logistics industry is assured,” said Mr. Lau, while pledging HAFFA’s full support to the Government in expediting the resumption of intermodal transshipments of the affected products via Hong Kong as soon as practicable.

During a recent 17-strong HAFFA delegation to the GBA, the association signed a framework agreement with the Zhuhai Transport Group, a state-owned group of companies responsible for the development and operation of Zhuhai’s transport infrastructure. Commented Mr. Lau: “The agreement will see strengthened cooperation with a particular focus on enhanced utilisation of the HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Logistics Park.”

Mr. Lau also summarized HAFFA’s activities surrounding the new legislation relating to Cannabidiol (CBD), and measures taken to assist members in compliance and clarifying their concerns.

In closing, while thanking HAFFA members, Committee members, the secretariat, as well as the government and industry partners, Mr. Lau stressed the need for unity at a pivotal time in Hong Kong’s economic recovery: “Now is the time for us to work together to innovate, strive hard and stay united in our goal to grow our economy and re-establish this great city as the world’s most competitive business and regional logistics hub.”