INDUSTRY AND TRADE
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and technical help. Intensified efforts have been made to promote improved mecha- nisation, appropriate application of modern technology and management techniques through the centre's consultancy and technology services. These have gained increasing acceptance by both local manufacturers and foreign investors.
The centre organised two industrial exhibitions during the year to help keep manu- facturers abreast of the latest developments in production machinery, manufacturing equipment, components and materials, as well as to improve sales contacts between manufacturers and suppliers.
The 1977 edition of the Directory of Hong Kong Industries, which provides detailed reference to Hong Kong's manufacturing industries, was published with the help of the Census and Statistics Department. A salary report and industry data sheets for major industrial sectors also were published.
As a member of the Asian Productivity Organisation, Hong Kong was represented at the 1977 workshop meeting in Djakarta of heads of national productivity organisa- tions. The centre is a participating organisation of the Asian Network of Industrial Technology Information and Extension (Technonet Asia), set up under the auspices of the International Department Research Centre of Canada (IDRC). The Productivity Centre also is closely associated with a number of other technical and research associ- ations that provides it with technical information and other forms of technical help.
Other Trade and Industrial Organisations
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1861, is the earliest established trade and industrial association in Hong Kong. Its membership, covering all branches of commerce and industry, is represented on a number of government boards and committees. It also is a member of the International Chamber of Com- merce. The chamber is involved in promoting Hong Kong trade and in attracting new industry in conjunction with the government.
The Federation of Hong Kong Industries, established by statute in 1960, has a membership representative of all industries, many nationalities and all sizes of enter- prise. To encourage the development of better industrial design, the federation established the Hong Kong Industrial Design Council, which provides practical training courses for in-service designers and promotes annual design competitions. The federation also established the Hong Kong Packaging Council to promote the development of packaging education and technology, and the development of skills. and expertise in packaging.
The Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre of the federation provides testing, inspection, certification and related services. The centre can test most Hong Kong products. Its facilities include chemical, calibration, electrical, electronic, engineering, food, footwear, gemmological, microbiological, packaging, pharmaceutical, textile, toy and watch testing laboratories. Product-testing at the centre is carried out in line with recognised standards or individual specifications. Its services also include pre- shipment inspection, quality control, production inspection, industrial research, product development and technical consultancy.
The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong has more than 2,000 mem- bers representing manufacturers and traders of all sizes. The association, a member of the International Chamber of Commerce, has played an important role in the