The logistics zone of the SCIC demonstrates how the EPC/RFID model can facilitate efficient and effective logistic warehouse management.

Real-time global tracking helps reduce errors in inventory management while increasing the reliability of on-shelf availability in a shop.

Goods storage and retrieval will be more efficient and paperwork can be reduced.

Maersk Logistics is a founding member of the centre.

The company's general manager for Greater China, Steffen Schiottz-Christensen, said some of the key clients in the retail sector had shown strong interest in RFID because its benefits were especially visible in retail operations.

'At this point, RFID is just emerging, but it is a very viable and useful technology and we expect it to be widely adopted,' Mr Schiottz-Christensen said.

' The logistics services we provide in China include all aspects of supply chain operations and our customers expect us to deploy cutting-edge technology such as RFID to improve their supply chains.

'We definitely want to see RFID driven in Hong Kong and China. The SCIC bring players in different aspects of a supply chain together to see how RFID works for themselves as well as the other players.

'We believe this co-operation will enhance our ability to help our customers meet their requirements regarding the use of EPC and RFID devices.'

Mr Schiottz-Christensen said that a key aspect for future RFID innovation was enhancing its applicability. He said that apart from contributing expertise and experience towards the setting up of the showcase at the expo, his company would continue to support the SCIC by transferring the expertise and experience of its research centre in the US.

Michael Tung Pak-Shing, logistics director, South China, at Schenker, is also co-chairman of the Asian adoption programme for RFID of EPC Global. He said the SCIC was a perfect platform for consolidating the knowledge of the founding members, who were all leading players in their fields.

'The founding members together will generate adequate market awareness in the manufacturing, retail and logistics industries. By collaborating with each others' supply chain partners, we could bridge the missing link in RFID application, starting at the beginning of the supply chain here in Hong Kong and China,' he said.

'Hong Kong has been successful in establishing itself as a leading import/export hub. A lot of the manufacturing business in China is controlled by Hong Kong companies. It is now time for Hong Kong to create a new competitive edge by leading the revolution in wireless, almost real time information capturing, further eliminating lead time between each supply chain process and improving accuracy, security and timeliness of business activities along the supply chain. SCIC is the perfect supply chain technology showcase positioned behind the manufacturing, retail and logistics industries in Hong Kong.'

Mr Tung said his company had committed corporate RFID resources from Germany to the development of SCIC and it hoped to use the centre as a 'live demonstration' to its customers in the region.