TNAG-1415-FCO40-1896-Public-finance-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 184

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The Executive Director of the Trade Development Council has informed me that in providing its services to the trading community he is guided by a Council which comprises the chairmen of Hong Kong's major trading and business associations as well as leaders of the business community appointed by the Governor. He is also advised by many advisory and steering committees, members of which are chosen for their standing and contacts and specialist knowledge in particular industries. In addition, there are the Council's overseas offices and a local branch office which provide information on the needs of the trading community and early warning as to shifts in demand and trends. He has advised me that before the Council's annual promotion programme is approved each year, it has to go through a vigorous screening process. The proposed programme is first compiled from recommendations supplied by the Council's overseas offices regarding overseas trade fairs and shows. Each project in the proposed programme is then subject to a thorough review based on such factors as cost-effectiveness, marginal return, the current needs of various industries and the guideline that no less than 30% of the Council's expected income should be spent on promotional activities. Taking 1984-85 as an example, the Executive Director has informed me that only three- quarters of the projects proposed were accepted and many good proposals had to be cancelled or postponed because of the lack of funds.

The

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The Executive Director has also informed me that the overriding aim in the Trade Development Council's promotional activities is to provide an impetus to those traders in need of help. The Council will have succeeded if traders are able to develop and expand on their own once they have established useful contacts and buyers through the Council. He considers that the long-term goals in the overall interest of Hong Kong are not always in line with the priority of the private individual. Council's task and objectives in drawing up its promotion programme, and all its other services, must balance the needs of Hong Kong as a whole, the needs of individual manufacturers and the need to allocate limited resources to maximum advantage. Whilst I acknowledge the objectives as stated by the Executive Director in drawing up the Trade Development Council's promotion programme I feel there is room for improvement in its selection and evaluation procedures.