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Macao should join hands with other cities in the Pearl river delta toward the goal of growing into a logistics hub, a prominent research fellow said.

Chen Guanghan, director of the Hong Kong, Macao and Pearl River Delta Research Center of Zhongshan University, told Macao Daily News on June 18 that Macao should position itself well and forge close ties with the neighboring areas in developing the logistics sector.

His center was entrusted recently by the Macao Foundation to lead a task force to make research into the prospect of Macao's logistics industry.

Cooperation could cover the sectors of basic facilities, information technology, management and personnel training, he said.

"Vicious competition will do harm to every city, while by coordination, the logistics cake will be made bigger to benefit all," he added.

Chen suggested Macao put priority on the development of air transport. "For example, Macao can take advantage of its international air links, especially those with Portuguese-speaking countries, to carry out transport of some high value-added products."

The Pearl river delta boasts the best opportunities in logistics development in China on the back of its relatively developed economy, booming manufacturing industry and sound harbor and cargo transport facilities.

China's access to the World Trade Organization is expected to yield more benefits for the delta, he said.

The Macao Special Administrative Region government has set a goal to develop Macao into a logistics center, according to Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah's policy address for 2002.

Chen's task force will draw advice from Macao's chambers of commerce, transport groups and departments concerned to complete a research report in ten months.