INDUSTRY AND TRADE
Established in 1900, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce is an association of local Chinese firms, businessmen and professionals. It has a membership of over 6 000, representing a wide spectrum of trade 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 Hong Kong and China. Since 1957, it has been authorised by the Chinese Export Commodities 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 are designed to enable participants to better understand the various aspects of Hong Kong's economy.
Incorporated in 1981, the Hong Kong Trade Facilitation Council was set up to facilitate international trade procedures and the documentation and information flows associated with them. Its members include representatives of government, trade and industrial organisations and private sector companies. In recent years, the emphasis in trade facilitation work has shifted from paper to the transmission of trade data by electronic means. More recently, in conjunction with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, it was instrumental in establishing the Hong Kong Article Numbering Association Limited, which is the recognised Hong Kong authority for the issue of bar codes for product identification.
The Hong Kong Management Association was established in 1960 with the aim of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of management in Hong Kong. It runs management training courses, provides management consultancy services, publishes a bimonthly journal, The Hong Kong Manager, offers library information and translation services, and organises seminars, forums and inter-firm competitions.
The Hong Kong Exporters' Association was formed in 1955. It has a membership of 250 export and manufacturing companies. Its members together account for about a third of Hong Kong's total domestic exports. The association's objectives are to protect and to promote the interests of its members; to disseminate trade information; and to act as a representative body to voice members' concerns and to assist in solving any trade problems which they may encounter.
Consumer Council
The Consumer Council is a statutory body responsible for protecting and promoting the interests of consumers of goods and services. Its chairman, vice-chairman and 20 other members are all appointed by the Governor from various walks of life, representing a considerable diversity of consumer interests.
Established in 1974, the council provides a comprehensive consumer protection service including consumer representation and legislation, advice and complaints, research and testing, and information and publications. It maintains close co-operation with the govern- ment through the Trade and Industry Branch and is represented on many committees dealing with a wide range of consumer issues and concerns.
The scope of the council's functions received a welcome boost following the acceptance by government of a number of proposals contained in a review report of its activities. Significantly, the Consumer Council Ordinance will be amended to properly reflect the work of the council in property transaction matters. The statute will also be tightened to effectively prohibit the unlawful use of the council's name and its information for
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