INDUSTRY AND TRADE
23
Parallel with the training and technical assistance project undertaken by the low-cost automation unit, the centre organised five industrial exhibitions of specialised equip- ment and materials. More than 25,000 people from various industries attended the exhibitions.
Under the auspices of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), a number of overseas technical experts provided training and consultancy in the fields of fuel efficiency, sheet metal dies, methods times measurement (mtm), foundry technology and industrial engineering. At the request of the Hong Kong Government, the United Nations deputed an information expert to advise on the establishment of a technical information centre. With the expert's report still under consideration, the centre is continuing its pioneering role in this field through its own technical informa- tion service.
As a member of the APO, Hong Kong was represented at its 15th workshop meeting of national productivity centres held in Bangkok in January, and at the 17th governing body meeting in Seoul in May.
The centre is a full member of the International Federation of Documentation (FID) and is represented on FID's Information for Industry Committee and its Education and Training Committee. The centre is also a participating organisation of the Asian Network for Industrial Technology Information and Extension (TECHNONET ASIA), established under the auspices of the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC).
Other Trade and Industrial Organisations
Founded in 1861, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce is the earliest established trade association in Hong Kong. Its membership stood at more than 1,800 at the end of 1975. It represents all branches of commerce and industry and is represented on a number of government boards and committees. It is also a member of the International Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce. The association is actively involved in attracting new industry to Hong Kong in conjunction with the government.
The Federation of Hong Kong Industries, established by statute in 1960, devotes much of its efforts to helping create an infrastructure which will assist the growth of Hong Kong industry. Its membership represents all industries, many nationalities and all sizes of enterprise. The organisation provides testing services for chemical, electrical, electronic and textile products, and for footwear, toys, watches, foodstuffs and packaging materials. To encourage the development of better industrial design, the federation's Industrial Design Council has instituted two awards for Hong Kong designed products-the Governor's Award for Hong Kong Design and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries Award for Good Design. Competitions are held annually. The federation has also set up a Packaging Council and Packaging Centre to promote creativity and innovation in the fields of product design and packaging. These efforts were recognised at international level by the decision of the World Packaging Organi- sation to transfer its secretariat from London to Hong Kong for three years from 1973 to 1975.