ENG-2000 — Page 155

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

APEC is a regional forum set up in 1989 for high-level government-to-government dialogue and co-operation on trade and economic issues. Hong Kong joined in 1991. In November, the Chief Executive represented the HKSAR at the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The meeting was preceded by the 12th APEC Ministerial Meeting, at which the Secretary for Commerce and Industry represented the HKSAR.

APEC pursues its goal of free and open trade and investment by 2010 for industrialised economies and 2020 for developing economies through work in three areas trade and investment liberalisation, trade and investment facilitation, and economic and technical co-operation. The HKSAR participates actively in all three. The HKSAR has been a Vice-Chair of the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) since 1996, and was the Chair of the Government Procurement Experts Group under the CTI from 1995 to 1999. In 2000, the HKSAR was the Convenor of the Ad Hoc Task Force for the Development of Trade Facilitation Principles.

PECC, founded in 1980, is a non-governmental regional forum comprising government officials, business leaders and academics who work in their personal capacity on practical policy issues to enhance trade, investment and economic development in the Pacific region. Hong Kong joined in May 1991. The Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Co-operation, established in March 1990 to advise on and co-ordinate Hong Kong's participation in and input to the PECC process, continues to play an active role in PECC's various task forces, fora, and project groups.

Hong Kong took over the PECC chairmanship in October 1999 for a period of two years until the close of the 14th General Meeting of PECC to be held in the HKSAR on November 28-30, 2001. The main theme under Hong Kong's PECC chairmanship is Managing Globalisation in the 21st Century. In 2000, Hong Kong chaired two PECC Standing Committee Meetings held in Dalian in the Mainland and Jakarta in Indonesia, respectively. Hong Kong also became the co-ordinator of the Trade Policy Forum, one of PECC's most important fora.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

The HKSAR is an observer on the Trade Committee, the Committee on Financial Markets and the Committee on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises of the OECD, which are important fora for discussions on policy matters in respect of trade, financial services and international investment. Ideas introduced in these committees are often followed up in other international organisations such as the WTO and translated into binding multilateral agreements or codes.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) was established in 1966 as the statutory body responsible for promoting and expanding Hong Kong's external trade. It also promotes Hong Kong as an international hub for business, and is an important partner of the Government in upholding a positive image of Hong Kong world-wide. Part of the TDC's funding comes from the Government.

With a network of 47 offices in 30 countries and regions around the world, as well as a wide range of promotional events, information and business services, the TDC serves as the global marketing arm for Hong Kong manufacturers and service

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