TRADE AND INDUSTRY
April 1, 1998 to March 1, 2000 and an across-the-board premium discount of 5 per cent from October 1, 1998 to September 30, 1999). Cash claim payments totalled $61.6 million, down by 13 per cent over 1998.
Internationally, the ECIC continued to maintain close co-operation with members of the International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers (Berne Union) through visits, meetings and workshops. Being one of the APEC Export Credit Agencies, the corporation actively participated in the activities for such agencies.
Other Trade and Industrial Organisations
Various associations in Hong Kong represent the interests of industry and commerce. Among the larger and well established associations are the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. Other organisations include the Hong Kong Management Association, the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, the Hong Kong Exporters' Association and various overseas chambers of commerce in Hong Kong such as the American, Australian, British, Canadian, Indian and Japanese chambers.
The Federation of Hong Kong Industries is a statutory body established in 1960 to promote and foster the interests of Hong Kong's industrial and business. communities. It has more than 3 000 member companies. Its services include the issuance of certificates of origin, the operation and award of the Hong Kong Quality Mark and the provision of ISO 9000 quality management consultancy and intellectual property services. The federation divides its members into 24 groups to cover major industries and services. Seven of these groups have formed themselves into industry councils under the auspices of the federation. The federation organises the annual Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong and the consumer product design category of the Hong Kong Awards for Industry.
The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (CMA), established in 1934, is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce and has a membership of nearly 4000. Services rendered include the issuance of certificates of origin, handling trade enquiries, organising industrial and trade promotion activities, seminars and training courses, and the running of two secondary schools. It encourages product development and quality improvement. Through the CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories, it provides technical back-up services, including materials, consumer products and environmental testing, pre-shipment inspection and technical consultancy services. Since 1989, the CMA has organised the machinery and equipment design award category of the Hong Kong Awards for Industry.
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce is the oldest business association in Hong Kong. Founded in 1861, it has around 4 000 corporate members. It organises and receives trade missions to and from overseas, provides informational programmes and handles trade enquiries. It issues certificates of origin and is the sole local issuing authority for International Association Temporarie Admission Carnets. The chamber is represented on many official advisory committees/bodies. It has founded the Hong Kong Article Numbering Association. Its Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries is a think tank on service policy. The chamber also sponsors the Hong Kong Committee of the Pacific Basin Economic Council.
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