INDUSTRY AND TRADE
The Geneva Office represents Hong Kong as a contracting party to the GATT. The office participates in the regular activities of the GATT as well as in the ongoing multilateral trade negotiations (generally known as the Uruguay Round) which were launched in September 1986. The Brussels Office represents and promotes Hong Kong's economic, commercial and public relations interests to the European Commission and the member states of the European Community (other than the United Kingdom) and to Switzerland. Hong Kong's commercial relations with the United Kingdom, Austria and the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden and Norway) are handled through the London Office. The London Office is also responsible for monitoring the economic and political developments in the United Kingdom that are of interest to Hong Kong, for promoting Hong Kong's interests, enhancing understanding of Hong Kong affairs and advancing Hong Kong's image in the United Kingdom. In this connection, the office maintains close liaison with the business and commercial sectors, politicians and the media in the United Kingdom. The Washington, New York and San Francisco offices closely monitor economic and trade developments, proposed legislation and other matters in the United States of America that might affect Hong Kong's economic and trading interests in general. The Toronto Office does something similar in respect of Canada. The Tokyo Office conducts similar activities in Japan, looking after Hong Kong's commercial, economic and public relations interests there.
With the exception of Geneva, all offices act as a point of direct contact between Hong Kong and the host country, and the local media and organisations with an interest in Hong Kong. They monitor commercial, economic and industrial developments and official thinking on international trade policies and advise the Hong Kong Government on the likely repercussions of such developments. (See also the section on Hong Kong's Image Overseas in Chapter 21.)
The Brussels, London, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo offices also contain Industrial Promotion Units which promote direct investment in manufacturing. The Washington, New York and San Francisco offices also assist in the recruitment of administrative officers from the United States and Canada. The London and Toronto Offices act as a point of contact for Hong Kong Chinese communities (including Hong Kong students) in the United Kingdom and Canada respectively and provide advisory services and assistance to them as appropriate. The London Office also undertakes recruitment in the United Kingdom of civil servants for the Hong Kong Government. The Marine Adviser based in London is Hong Kong's permanent representative to the International Maritime Organisation. He acts as a focus in London for all technical, legal and general maritime matters pertaining to Hong Kong, particularly the autonomous Hong Kong Shipping Register.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) is the territory's statutory body responsible for promoting and developing Hong Kong's trade. As the marketing arm for local manufacturers, exporters and importers, it plays a vanguard role in opening new or difficult markets for Hong Kong companies and in helping them to increase market share. It also publicises business opportunities in Hong Kong.
The council's chairman is appointed by the Governor. The other 18 members include representatives of major trade associations, leading businessmen and industrialists, as well as two senior government officials. Seven specialised Industry Advisory Groups, with a
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