ENG-1966 — Page 89

58

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

for Asia and the Far East. The fair was held in November 1966, and the Trade Development Council constructed a pavilion in keeping with Hong Kong's status in the region. Publicity activities included a charity film premiere, fashion shows and receptions. As in other promotions, the commercial participants reported good business.

In other parts of the world, assistance given to department stores in their promotional festivals was expanded. In the United States, Hong Kong participated with success in the 'Far East Fortnights' staged by Macy's in New York, and in similar promotions in five other cities throughout the country. A team of models, artists and craftsmen were sent from Hong Kong to assist in these. In Britain, Hong Kong was featured on its own in a festival mounted by the management of Selfridges store. Assistance was also given to a special display of Hong Kong products in Breuningers Depart- ment Store in Stuttgart. Earlier in the year a small display was sponsored at the International Trade Fair in Tel Aviv, while a series of fashion shows and displays were held in the exhibition facilities at the Hong Kong Government Office in London. In Hong Kong the Display Centre of Hong Kong Products was resited in the ocean terminal and reopened by the Governor, Sir David Trench, on 20th May. Both attendance and enquiries showed an encouraging increase over those recorded at the former location in the City Hall. The council took over from the government the publication of the Hong Kong Trade Bulletin, a monthly magazine describing Hong Kong products which is distributed free to busi- nessmen in nearly every country in the world. Other publications on Hong Kong and its products were prepared for distribution during promotional activities overseas with the assistance of the Information Services Department.

Less spectacular, but just as important, was the work of the council in planning better services for the exporter and exporting manufacturer. These include the collection, analysis and distribution of market information; the provision of expert guidance and assist- ance to local firms; and the development of means and points of contact with overseas buyers. To assist in executing the first of these tasks, the council retained the services of the International Market- ing Institute in the United States to review and advise on information systems. The council also began the recruitment of expert staff,