Changsha Jinxia Bonded Logistics Centre
officially commences full operation

[5 July 2009 Kunming] With China-ASEAN Free Trade Area（CAFFA）to complete next year, Yunnan is to develop into the gateway to Southeast Asia. The introduction of the experience in modern logistics and service management from a Hong Kong operator would benefit Yunnan.

While it is common to see lighted buses run through the city of Kunming as night falls, passengers would have never imagined they could read a book in the bus five years ago, as no bus was allowed to light up as they run before 2004. In the same year, a set of personalized management reforms were introduced by New World's First Bus of Hong Kong.

As of now, one-third of routes operated by Kunming New World First Bus Services Limited have an average return of 3 - 5%. While return is not high, risk is considered low and future looks promising. Furthermore, citizens of Kunming have accommodated to the operation style of a Hong Kong corporation. “According to my 5-year working experience, I think the concept and mode of Hong Kong management has positive impact on the public transport sector in Mainland China, alleviating the level of management of the industry.”

When a bus company from Hong Kong invest in Kunming, the management and operation of Hong Kong were soon introduced into the city, becoming a model to be learnt from other State-operated bus companies. Apart from funding, districts with slower developments like Yunnan are hoping to bring in modern management – an advantage distinct to Hong Kong companies.

A transport hub between Souteast Asia and China Mainland is going through large scale construction. As humble as it looks, the project lacks experience and therefore invited Hong Kong Logistics Technology and Systems Company Limited (HKLTS) to join to assist in preliminary planning. “We have learned a lot about logistics park management HKLTS, and they have inspired us with a number of new ideas.”

Kunming is more than the starting point of the Kunming-Bangkok Highway, it is also the connecting point of China and Southeast Asia in the Pan-Asia Railway, which is under construction. The role of Hong Kong as the transit port for Mainland China and Southeast Asia in the past has become less significant. Kunming reckons that Hong Kong businesses should begin marketing research in preparing themselves for the forthcoming developments of free trade zones upon their completion.