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INDUSTRY AND TRADE
It operates a trade investigation service which undertakes the regular inspection of factories and goods in connection with certification and licensing controls, and pros- ecutes those suspected of contravening the relevant regulations. The division is also responsible for handling trade complaints and the control of reserved commodities, of which rice is the most important.
A rice control scheme has been in operation since 1955. The object of the scheme is to ensure regular and adequate supplies of rice to consumers at reasonable prices. A reserve stock is maintained to safeguard supplies to the public.
The administration division is responsible for the personnel, financial and general management of the department and for administrative liaison with the overseas officers. The work of the Preventive Service is described in detail in Chapter 10.
Trade Development Council
The Trade Development Council, established by statute in 1966, is responsible for promoting and developing Hong Kong's international trade. The chairman of the council is appointed by the Governor and its members include representatives of major industrial and commercial organisations, two senior government officials and four nominated members. The council is financed by an annual grant from public funds, together with minor income from advertising fees and sales of publications.
While the council's principal responsibility is the promotion of goods manu- factured in Hong Kong, it also works to improve imports-since Hong Kong depends heavily on overseas sources for the supply of capital goods, raw materials and semi- processed manufactures.
In addition to its Hong Kong headquarters, the council maintains overseas offices in 15 key cities: London, Manchester, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stockholm, Zurich, Vienna, Milan, Amsterdam, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Tokyo and Sydney.
The extensive trade promotion programme in 1976 involved more than 50 major international projects. They included fashion presentations in Los Angeles and New York which were widely acclaimed by the American trade and media.
During the first week of March, the same garments were featured at the annual Hong Kong Ready-to-Wear Festival, which is recognised as an international fashion trade event. The festival was attended by 3,000 trade buyers from 30 countries.
Other promotion projects included Hong Kong's participation in the Nuremburg International Toy Fair, Cologne International Houseware Fair, Frankfurt Spring Fair, Sponga Fair, Leipzig Fair, New York Toy Fair, New York Premium Show, New York Jewellery Show, Chicago Electronics Show, Paris International Fair and Cairo International Fair. Solo exhibitions were held in Budapest, Warsaw and Prague.
Hong Kong business groups visited the Middle East on three occasions in 1976 and groups also toured West European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
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