ENG-1968 — Page 89

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INDUSTRY AND TRADE

of three per cent over 1967. This was 20 per cent of the total combined value of exports of Hong Kong manufactures and re-exports of imported goods. During 1968 Japan remained the most important re-export market, followed by Indonesia, Singapore, the United States, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The principal commodities in the re-export trade were textile fabrics, diamonds, medicinal and pharmaceutical products, and crude and vegetable materials.

TRADE PROMOTION

This was the second full working year of the Trade Development Council. Established as a statutory corporation under an independent chairman, it is composed of two representatives each from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Hong Kong Industries and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association; the Chairmen of the Hong Kong Tourist Association and the Exchange Banks Association; two senior government officials the Director of Commerce and Industry and the Director of Information Services; and four members appointed by name. The council has a permanent secretariat under an executive director and it is financed by sub- vention from the Government's general revenue, plus a levy on the value of trade imposed on the commercial and industrial community. Its head office is in the Ocean Terminal, Kowloon, where it maintains a permanent display of Hong Kong products. The council also maintains five offices overseas, in London, New York, Brussels, Sydney and Nairobi, each headed by a Resident Representative, who is responsible for the promotion of Hong Kong trade in the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe, Australasia, and East and Central Africa respectively.

The programme of active promotion during the year leant more towards attendance at trade fairs than on selling missions. The year's work started with the Toy Fair at Nuremberg at which use was made of the motorized caravan which was designed last year for the East African Safari. International Fairs at Milan in April, Brussels in April/May and Vienna in September followed, and in October Hong Kong took part in the 79th Dusseldorf International Fashion Week. One selling mission was sent to Britain during the year. This was mounted jointly by the Exporters' Association and the council and, like the fairs, produced satisfactory business and