INDUSTRY AND TRADE
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the five commercial and industrial organisations authorised by the government to issue Hong Kong certificates of origin. In 1985, it became a functional constituency of the Legislative Council together with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association.
The Hong Kong Management Association is an incorporated body established in 1960 for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of management in Hong Kong.
The association regularly offers management consultancy services and management training courses. Other services provided include the publication of a bilingual journal 'The Hong Kong Manager', and a series of Chinese language books on management, library and information services, seminars and forums, translation services and inter-firm competitions.
Under the auspices of the association, there are 10 specialists clubs which provide opportunities for executives with similar interests to share and further develop their expertise. In addition, a Business Enterprise Management Centre was established to promote better management practice in small and medium-sized businesses.
A highlight of the association's activities is its Annual Conference, a major one-day event, which provides a platform for prominent local and overseas speakers to share their knowledge, experience and new thoughts on the practice of management with senior business executives.
Consumer Council
The Consumer Council has the responsibility of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers of goods and services. It comprises a chairman, a vice-chairmen and up to 15 members who are appointed by the Governor from various walks of life. It has a staff of 99 and is financed primarily by an annual subvention from the government.
The council provides a comprehensive consumer protection service covering consumer representation and legislation, advice and complaints, research and testing, information and education. It maintains close co-operation with the government through the Trade and Industry Branch and is represented on many committees to tender specialist advice on a wide range of consumer issues and concerns.
A main focus of the year's programme on research and testing concerned consumer- product safety. In a test on infant feeding-bottle nipples, pacifiers and teethers, some models were found to contain high levels of carcinogenic substances causing grave concern among parents. The government has promised a review of the situation concerning carcinogens in consumer products. The council's continuous effort in product safety also resulted in the control of toxicity of domestic insecticides which had previously been confined to agricultural pesticides.
Another highlight of the year was the continuing growth in the circulation of the council's Chinese-language monthly magazine 'Choice'. One issue which featured a test report on air-conditioners, had a record sale of 65 000 copies. The format of the magazine was changed in July, and an English version, entitled 'Choice Buying Guide 1988' will be published in January 1988. To carry the consumer message to a wider audience, the council has been liaising closely with the mass media and other bodies interested in the promotion of consumer information and education. Plans have been made to launch a large-scale campaign early next year on the right of consumers to be informed.
The sudden collapse of a number of major tour operators just before the Lunar New Year, affecting the travel plans of thousands of consumers, prompted the government to review the protection afforded consumers under the existing Travel Agents Ordinance,