The Government should promote Hong Kong as the premier logistics hub in the region and offer cheaper land to operators at Chek Lap Kok, according to the Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding Agents (Haffa). Haffa said it cost 60 per cent more to build a logistics centre at Hong Kong's airport than one in Singapore. 'It costs about $800 per square foot to develop a logistics centre at Chek Lap Kok, while it only costs $500 per square foot in Singapore,' Haffa chairman Anthony Lau Siu-wing said. The Airport Authority has invited expressions of interest to build two logistics centres at Chek Lap Kok. Companies have until February 28 to submit applications to build one or both centres. The authority plans to accept tender documents by the end of next month. The tenders are expected to be returned by July, and contracts should be awarded by the third quarter of next year. Mr Lau said the Government's proposal to build only two logistics centres was insufficient as more centres were needed to reach critical mass before Hong Kong could become a hub. He urged the Airport Authority to release more land at affordable prices to logistics operators. Longer lease periods should be given to investors to allow them to recoup their investments while keeping prices low, Mr Lau said. Besides cheaper land, the industry also needed trained manpower to build up the industry, he said. Haffa is organising regular training courses and sessions for its 272 members to learn about third-party logistics. The Hong Kong Logistics Association and the Hong Kong Productivity Council are also jointly organising annual certificate courses to train people in logistics. Mr Lau said Hong Kong's air freight industry had a good year last year, handling 1.95 million tonnes. This year should also be a good year for the industry as everyone seemed positive about their business, he said. FREIGHT