By LIANG TAO, CRI Correspondent

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang says better trade facilitation and customs clearance between Hong Kong and the Pan Pearl River Delta will boost Hong Kong's position as a premier global transport hub, further promoting trade development.

Tsang visited the Customs & Excise Department and was briefed by its Commissioner Timothy Tong on plans to form the Pan-PRD Customs Trade Facilitation Forum & Regional Customs Commissioners Joint Conference next year.

Customs chiefs from the nine provinces in the Pan Pearl River Delta and Macau will be invited to attend and exchange views on customs clearance.

Arrangements will be made for them to meet with local business people to explore trade and investment opportunities.

It is hoped substantial progress will be made on a number of initiatives, including the airport cargo point-to-point express lane and a simplified clearance procedure for Hong Kong cargo entering the Mainland.

Tsang learned that a Shenzhen Bay Port clearance expert group has been formed by Hong Kong and Shenzhen customs authorities.

Both sides have agreed on the laying of an additional cable at Shenzhen Bay Port for the transmission of x-ray cargo images and cargo examination results.