U-Freight sees growth in transport links for Pearl River delta

U-Freight sees growth in transport links for Pearl River delta    U-Freight, the Hong Kong-based forwarder group, expects a surge in the number of direct flights and sailings to the Pearl River delta area of South China.
   Anthony Fong, U-Freight managing director, said that 2004 will see “a huge increase” in the numbers of direct flights and sailings to the province, as more operators take advantage of the infrastructure investments being made by the Chinese government. According to U-Freight, more than 40 international flights a day will serve the airports of Guangzhou within three years as the new Baiyun International Airport starts up in the first half of 2005. Operators currently have 22 international flights a day from the existing airport.
   U-Freight is opening 10 sales liaison offices in the Pearl River delta. The forwarder group said it will be able to give increased support to those trading to and from the major industrial centers of Guandong province.
   U-Freight said that much of its recent growth in China has centered on the Yangtze River delta near Shanghai, but the Pearl River delta of South China is now “China’s largest exporting region and continues to grow.”
   Located in the southern part of Guandong province, the Pearl River delta is home to 47.8 million people. The Pearl River delta economic zone covers 14 cities and counties: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Jiangmen, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Huizhou city, Huiyang county, Huidong county, Poluo county, Zhaoqing city, Gaoyao and Sihui. Its exports account for 36 percent of the China’s national total by value, U-Freight said.