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INDUSTRY AND TRADE
in the United States. In April and May, with co-operation from the Swedish East Asia Company Limited, the Committee organized a floating display of Hong Kong products on board the mv Ceylon, calling at Genoa, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Gothenburg and Copenhagen, the first venture of this kind ever attempted by Hong Kong.
The 22nd Annual Exhibition of Hong Kong products, sponsored by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association, displayed the goods of 178 participating firms, ranging from honey to air-conditioners. The layout was on a more ambitious scale than previously and many of the exhibits gave evidence of the improved quality and design of Hong Kong's manufactures today. The Chinese Manu- facturers' Association has also provided space in its new head- quarters building for a permanent exhibit of products manufactured by member firms.
ADMINISTRATION
The Commerce and Industry Department is concerned with all matters affecting trade and industry except labour. Its four divisions cover Trade Development, Export Promotion, Textiles and Certi- fication, and Controls.
The Development Division keeps a watch on measures adopted by overseas countries which may affect Hong Kong and studies the activities of international institutions concerned with trade, collecting, analysing and presenting information on these matters for the benefit of merchants and manufacturers. The division also provides liaison between industry and other government departments, answers trade and industrial enquiries from overseas, and deals with specific industrial problems as and when they arise. The Statistical Branch of the division publishes monthly commodity- by-country trade statistics compiled from declarations filed with the department by importers and exporters. The branch also pro- vides general statistical services throughout Government.
The Export Promotion Division, which was given separate divisional status this year, is responsible for executing the pro- gramme of trade promotional activities undertaken with public funds on the advice of the Trade and Industry Advisory Board. It administers the Display Centre, mediates in commercial disputes,
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