INDUSTRY AND TRADE

and importers, a wide section of the manufacturing industry, transport, utilities, banking insurance and commercial and professional services. The chamber was formed to promote trade and industry, to act as a focus of local business opinion and to make that opinion known when necessary. It organises trade and industrial investment promotion groups, goodwill missions, and handles trade enquiries. It receives official and trade del- egations as well as individual businessmen from overseas, and extends to them appropriate assistance. It is authorised by the government to issue certificates of origin. Although an independent organisation, the chamber is represented on a variety of official advisory committees and other local organisations. It is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce.

The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (CMA), established in 1934, is a non-profit-making chamber of commerce and industry. It has a membership of over 3 600 industrial and trade establishments, and is authorised by the government to issue certificates of origin. It also handles trade enquiries, organises missions, fairs and ex- hibitions, and is active in encouraging product development and quality improvement. The CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories provide technical back-up services, including product testing, certification, inspection and technical consultancy services. The CMA also operates two prevocational schools to provide technical education and training for more than 2200 students. Since 1964, it has awarded scholarships annually to outstanding students studying in universities, polytechnics and technical institutes through the CMA and Donors' Scholarships Scheme. In 1989, it ran the award competition in the machinery and equipment design category of the newly-introduced Governor's Award for Industry, to emphasise the importance of machinery and equipment design in Hong Kong's industrial development.

The Federation of Hong Kong Industries is a statutory body, established by the govern- ment in 1960 to promote and protect the interests of Hong Kong's manufacturing industry. It offers a wide range of services, covering certificates of origin, the Hong Kong Quality Mark Scheme, a custom-built multi-risks insurance policy, consultancy work on quality assurance, trade enquiries, and economic and market research.

In 1989, the federation ran the award competition in the consumer product design category in the newly-introduced Governor's Award for Industry, attracting nearly 300 entries, and organised the Hong Kong Young Designer of the Year Award Competition in recognition of outstanding achievements by local designers. The second Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong were presented in June 1989 in honour of seven young industrialists for their professional endeavors and commitment to the manufacturing industry.

With a membership spanning all industrial sectors, the federation services the Hong Kong Toys Council, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries Council, Transport Services Council, Hong Kong Electronics Industry Council, Hong Kong Plastics Industry Council and the Mould and Die Council.

Established in 1900, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce is an association of local Chinese firms, businessmen and professionals. It has a membership of more than 6 000, representing a wide spectrum of business as well as industry. It provides a variety of services including certification of origin, organisation of seminars, exhibitions, trade missions and other trade promotional activities. It maintains close links with trade organisations in China and, since 1957, has been authorised by the Chinese Export Com- modities Fair authorities to issue invitations on their behalf to local Chinese firms. It has been operating courses for senior government officials to China since 1982. These courses

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