INDUSTRY AND TRADE
overseas representatives and consultants can put traders in touch with any of the 40 000 Hong Kong manufacturers and exporters registered in the Trade Enquiries Service computer. Furthermore, local businessmen can find markets for their goods through 130 000 overseas importers and buyers registered with the council.
In 1989, the computerised Trade Enquiries Service of the council processed more than 230 000 overseas and local trade enquiries. The Research Department continued to publish special market surveys and detailed product reports, identifying opportunities in overseas markets for Hong Kong exports.
Council staff carried out an extensive trade promotion programme in 1989, organising more than 80 major international projects. In the United States, these included the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and the Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, the American Toy Fair in New York, the International Houseware Exposition in Chicago and the New York International Gift Fair.
In Europe, the council participated in the International Toy Fair in Nuremburg, the Frankfurt International Spring and Autumn Fairs, the Birmingham International Spring Fair and SONIMAG in Barcelona, IGEDO in Dusseldorf, CeBIT in Hanover, MIDO in Milan and the Swiss Industries Fair in Basle.
A variety of Hong Kong business groups under the auspices of the council visited the United States, Europe, China, the Middle East and Japan to enhance old, or establish new, trade contacts. The council also received over 400 inward missions from more than 35 countries.
In Hong Kong, the council staged Hong Kong Fashion Week, Hong Kong International Toys and Games Fair, Hong Kong International Electronics Fair, Hong Kong Inter- national Jewellery Show, Hong Kong International Watch and Clock Fair and Hong Kong International Gifts and Houseware Fair. It also participated in the Leather International Fair, World Unit Pack Expo, Hong Kong Industrial Trade Fair and Hong Kong Jewellery and Watch Fair.
In a series of successful store promotions, the HKTDC joined forces with Ahelens in Stockholm, Hertie in Munich, Meitetsu in Nagoya and Pacific Sogo in Taipei, plus a number of stores in Toronto's Mississauga Square I.
The council produces eight product magazines, a fashion magazine and a newspaper for general circulation and distribution at trade events around the world. They are: Hong Kong Enterprise, a monthly general products magazine; the annuals Hong Kong Toys, published each January to coincide with the Hong Kong International Toys and Games Fair, Hong Kong Jewellery Annual, Hong Kong Watches and Clocks, Hong Kong Household and Hong Kong Gifts and Premiums; a biannual, Hong Kong Electronics; Hong Kong Apparel, a prize-winning quarterly fashion magazine and Hong Kong Trader, a bimonthly newspaper (sent airmail) giving news and views of the territory. In October, Hong Kong Collection, a Japanese-language quarterly featuring general products, was introduced. A guidebook, Hong Kong For The Business Visitor, is published annually in seven languages (English, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese).
The council's Overseas Associations Section administers the Hong Kong-United States Economic Co-operation Committee. The 12th plenary session of the Hong Kong-Japan/ Japan-Hong Kong Business Co-operation Committee was held in Hong Kong in March. The section also monitors the activities of overseas associations in Sweden, Spain, Canada, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, Norway, Australia and New Zealand.
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