The First China (Shenzhen) International Logistics Fair is the largest logistics fair in the nation.
SHENZHEN signed a friendship-port agreement with Hamburg Port, the largest port in Germany, on the opening day of the first China (Shenzhen) International Logistics Fair at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center yesterday.
The two ports agreed to enhance exchanges and cooperation in management, environmental protection, information technology, training and security, said Ma Yongzhi, vice director general of the Shenzhen Municipal Communications Bureau.
The 800-year-old Hamburg Port is the second European port to sign a friendship-port agreement with Shenzhen Port, after Rotterdam Port in the Netherlands.
Hamburg Port and Shenzhen Port have been interacting closely, said Ma. Of the 4.8 million TEUs (20-foot-equivalent units) of containers handled by Hamburg Port in 2006, some 600,000 were from Shenzhen, according to Ma.
“We will learn from the experience of Hamburg Port, especially its experience in cooperating with hinterland cities,” said Ma.
Manfred Renter, managing director of the Hamburg Port Authority, said the port was interested in the financing and engineering of Shenzhen Port.
The three-day China (Shenzhen) International Logistics Fair is sponsored by the city government and organized by the Shenzhen Federation of Logistics & Purchasing. It is the largest logistics fair in the nation.
The fair has attracted 216 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions. About 50,000 professional buyers are expected to attend the fair, which showcases logistics services, equipment, technologies and infrastructure, according to organizers.
To show their commitment to Shenzhen’s logistics industry, the second-most important industry of the city, both Shenzhen Party chief Li Hongzhong and Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng appeared at the fair’s opening ceremony yesterday.
Shenzhen’s logistics industry earned a total added value of 54.34 billion yuan (US$7.15 billion) in 2006, accounting for 9.56 percent of the GDP, said Xu.
Zhao Benshan, one of the best-known comedians in China, and Song Zuying, one of the best-known singers in China, appeared at the fair to show their support for a planned trade and logistics center in Tieling City of Northeast China’s Liaoning Province. The 5-billion-yuan center will be built by China South City Holdings Limited. (Deng Hanneng, Guo Huan)