Hong Kong : Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba announced joint effort plan for building a Smart Logistics Hub at the world's biggest cargo airport.

The hub will be situated at Kwo Lo Wan in HKIA. A joint venture led by Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, was honoured with the right to develop and manage the hub in June 2018.

About 5.3 hectares of space has been allocated for the hub, with an estimated gross floor area of 380,000 square metres.

This global smart logistics network aims to assist in more inclusive trade. The operation is set to begin in 2023.

The hub will be future-proofed, with high design specifications for large-scale, cutting-edge robotics and automation as well as temperature-controlled features for products such as pharmaceuticals.

Jack Ma, Executive Chairman, Alibaba Group and Angel Zhao, President, Alibaba Global Business, met with Jack So Chak-kwong, Chairman, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) and Fred Lam, Chief Executive, AA in a public demonstration of the partnership.

A joint statement said, "The intention is to develop the hub into a world-class digital logistics centre in Asia, serving the fast growing global cross border e-commerce trade and strengthening Hong Kong's international competitiveness."

HKIA is the first airport to have over five million tonnes of cargo and airmail volumes. It crossed this milestone in 2017, making it the world's busiest cargo airport for eight consecutive years.