ENG-1957 — Page 119

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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Colony participation in overseas trade fairs, also publishes and distributes overseas a monthly illustrated 'Trade Bulle- tin' mainly financed by local advertisers. At the end of the year local circulation was 1,300 copies a month, while 6,000 copies were being distributed free to readers overseas. The 1957 edition of the department's 'Commerce, Industry and Finance Directory' was published in March. This Directory is a comprehensive guide to Hong Kong business in its economic and administrative setting.

The Trade Promotion Branch also opened during the year a trade reference library and a display room where samples of local products are on show for the benefit of both overseas visitors and members of the public.

Less conspicuous but no less important trade promotion activities in the sphere of international trade are the docu- mentation of origin and statistical services of the Commerce and Industry Department.

Hong Kong is traditionally an entrepôt so that certifica- tion of origin of the products which it sells has always been a matter of importance. The Government recognizes as qualified to issue certificates of origin the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers' Asso- ciation and the Indian Chamber of Commerce. Certificates of origin issued by all these authorities are acceptable in varying degree by overseas authorities, but the majority of certificates are issued by the Commerce and Industry Depart- ment which is concerned only with certification of Hong Kong origin. Possessing almost no raw materials, Hong Kong's claim to originate its manufactures rests on the work done in processing imported materials, or their trans- formation into entirely new products. During 1957 the Commerce and Industry Department continued its efforts to ensure that goods which it certifies as of Hong Kong origin warrant that designation.