ENG-1996 — Page 156

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

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The corporation also provides tailor-made facilities or variations of the standard cover to cater for the different needs of each export sector. For export of capital goods, it may also provide medium- and long-term cover for credit periods up to five years or more. Export of services is covered by the Comprehensive Services Policy, which provides the blue-print for tailor-made policies that meet the specific requirement of individual service sectors, such as freight forwarding and advertising. The ECIC's total insured business in 1995-96 reached $17,612 million, representing an increase of six per cent over that in 1994–95. Gross premium income remained stable at $99.56 million although an overall premium reduction of about 10 per cent was introduced in April 1995. Despite higher claims, the corporation achieved a surplus of $29.9 million for the year.

Internationally, the ECIC continued to maintain close co-operation with members of the International Union of Credit and Investment Insurers (the Berne Union) through visits, meetings and workshops. During 1995-96, the corporation streamlined its work procedures and structure to become a compact, leaner and less- compartmentalised organisation for the purpose of providing more efficient and effective services to Hong Kong's exporters.

Other Trade and Industrial Organisations

Various associations in Hong Kong represent the interests of industry and commerce. Among the larger, longer-established and more influential associations are the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. Other organisations include the Hong Kong Management Association, the Hong Kong Exporters' Association, the various overseas chambers of commerce in Hong Kong such as the American, Australian, British, Indian and Japanese chambers.

The Federation of Hong Kong Industries is a statutory body, established in 1960 to promote and foster the interests of Hong Kong's industrial and business communities. It has more than 2 600 members. The wide range of federation services include the issue of certificates of origin, the Hong Kong Quality Mark Scheme, ISO 9000 quality management consultancy, intellectual property services, trade enquiries and industry researches. Seven industrial councils come under its auspices. They cover the chemical and pharmaceutical, electronics, mould and die, plastics, toys, watch and clock, and transport services industries. The federation also runs the annual Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong and is responsible for organising the consumer product design category of the Hong Kong Awards for Industry.

The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong (CMA), established in 1934, is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce and has a membership of nearly 4 000. Services rendered include the issue of certificates of origin, trade enquiries, trade promotion services, organisation of seminars and training courses, and operation of two pre-vocational schools on technical education. The CMA encourages product development and quality improvement. The CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories provide technical backup services, including materials and product testing, pre-shipment inspection and technical consultancy services. Since 1989, the CMA has been the organiser of the machinery and equipment design award category of the Hong Kong Awards for Industry.