INDUSTRY AND TRADE
Since 1979, the department has represented the Hong Kong Government as an entity in he Agreement on Government Procurement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Under the agreement, except for special requirements, all purchases exceeding Special Drawing Rights 130 000 ($1,338,000 in 1990) are widely advertised and open to competitive bidding among domestic and foreign suppliers on a non- discriminatory basis. All purchases, ranging from simple office sundries to complex computer systems, are made entirely on the basis of best value for money, regardless of the source of supply. Due to the open procurement policy, goods and services are purchased from over 40 countries and some 4 000 registered local and overseas suppliers.
To ensure continuity of supply, the department maintains goods which are generally required by other departments in its main stores in Hong Kong and Kowloon and five sub-stores specially established to serve the engineering workshops. It also seconds supplies staff to other departments to ensure a professional approach to acquisition and main- tenance of supply.
In 1989-90, the department placed orders to a total value of $2,672 million. The major sources of supply are the United States, United Kingdom, China and Japan. Major items of purchase include helicopters, computer systems and pharmaceuticals.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body responsible for promoting and developing Hong Kong's overseas trade and publicising the oppor- tunities and advantages of Hong Kong as a trading partner.
The chairman is appointed by the Governor and the 19 other members include representatives of major trade associations, leading businessmen and industrialists, and two senior government officials. J
The council was established in 1966 and has built up a network of 32 offices throughout the world, in addition to the head office in Hong Kong, a branch office in Kwun Tong and TDC Datashops in Tsuen Wan, Mong Kok and Central.
All offices process trade enquiries, provide up-to-date trade and economic information and offer advice to businessmen interested in developing trade with Hong Kong. The overseas representatives and consultants can put traders in touch with any of the 48 000 Hong Kong manufacturers and exporters registered in the Trade Enquiries Service computer. Furthermore, local businessmen can find markets for their goods through 177 000 overseas importers and buyers registered with the council.
The computerised Trade Enquiries Service of the council processed more than 270 000 overseas and local trade enquiries in 1990. The Research Department continued to publish special market surveys and detailed product reports, specifying opportunities in overseas markets for Hong Kong exports.
Council staff carried out an extensive trade promotion programme in 1990, organising more than 85 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 International Toy Fair in New York, the International Housewares Exposition in Chicago and the New York International Gift Fair.
In Europe, the council participated in many fairs, including the International Toy Fair in Nuremburg, Frankfurt International Autumn Fair, Hanover Industry Fair, SONIMAG in
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