ENG-1992 — Page 110

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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membership of more than 200, provide a direct link between TDC and the business community it serves.

Established in 1966, the council is headquartered in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and has 33 branch offices in 24 countries. For the convenience of local users, it also operates TDC Datashops in Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok and Central. Another datashop will be opened in Tsim Sha Tsui.

All TDC offices locally and overseas handle trade enquiries, provide up-to-date trade and economic information, and market intelligence. Through a computerised Trade Enquiry Service, which is on-line to its global network of offices, the TDC 'matchmakes' buyers with sellers. There are 48 000 Hong Kong manufacturers and exporters registered in the TDC database, along with 215 000 overseas buyers and importers. The Trade Enquiry Service handled more than 300 000 overseas and local trade enquiries in 1992. The council also operates Hong Kong's largest electronic information network, TDC-Link. Its 2 000 subscribers are able to access the TDC's business information databank from their office or home computer.

More than 240 major international trade promotion projects were organised by the TDC in 1992. Among them were the European Watch, Clock and Jewellery Fair in Basel, the Berlin International Audio and Visual Fair, the International Toy Fair in Nuremburg, the Tokyo Toy Show and the Japan Electronics Show. The TDC also participated in many important fairs in the United States, including the Summer Consumer Electronics Show - in Chicago, the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and the American

International Toy Fair in New York.

To strengthen Hong Kong's position as a regional business hub, the TDC is developing Hong Kong as Asia's convention and trade fair capital. In 1992 it staged 16 trade fairs and consumer expos at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. These included Hong Kong Fashion Week, the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair, the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, the Hong Kong Book Fair, Food Expo and Hong Kong Showcase. The TDC's Exhibition Services Centre in Yuen Long continued to design and construct exhibition stands for the council's local trade fairs, and provide special designs and contracting services for other fairs.

As a matter of priority, the TDC is helping Hong Kong manufacturers upgrade their products and encouraging them to market their brand names locally. In 1992 the council expanded its popular TDC Design Gallery, a retail outlet which is located in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It increased the range of products for sale and intensified the promotion of Hong Kong brand labels. Design Gallery outlets were also opened in four Wing On department stores, in Sheung Wan, Central, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok.

The TDC's Research Department published more than 70 special market surveys and detailed product reports in 1992, identifying specific opportunities for Hong Kong products in overseas markets. TDC's research unit also organised export management and practical training courses for local executives, as part of an ongoing programme.

The TDC publishes a total of 10 product magazines. In 1992 the TDC reaffirmed its position as one of Hong Kong's biggest trade publishers by setting new world records. The 1356-page January 1992 issue of Hong Kong Toys was accepted in June by the London-based Guinness Book of Records as the 'Largest Periodical' title in the 1993 edition. This was subsequently eclipsed by the TDC's flagship product publication, Hong Kong Enterprise, whose October issue had 1 374 pages. Besides, the council produces Hong