ENG-2002 — Page 163

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Electronic Data Interchange

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is the electronic transfer of data from one computer system to another, using agreed standards. The Government has been promoting the use of EDI in the trading community, not only to increase the competitiveness of firms but also to maintain Hong Kong's position as a leading trade centre. In 1992, the Government decided to make the use of EDI compulsory for six official trade-related transactions, and granted Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Tradelink) an exclusive right to provide the related front-end service on its behalf until December 31, 2003. The Government intends to appoint additional service providers upon the expiry of Tradelink's franchise.

The EDI service for trade-related transactions was launched in 1997. By 2002, the Government had implemented EDI services for five key documents, i.e. restrained textiles export licence, trade declaration, production notification, certificate of origin and dutiable commodities permits. The EDI services for processing of cargo manifests (excluding the road mode of transport) and notifications under the Textiles Trader Registration Scheme are scheduled for implementation in early 2003. The feasibility study on EDI services for processing road cargo manifests was completed in June 2002.

Hong Kong Awards for Industry/Services

To promote and honour the pursuit of excellence by companies in both the manufacturing and servicing sectors, the Trade and Industry Department — in collaboration with the Hong Kong Productivity Council, major trade and industrial associations and industry support bodies — organises the annual Hong Kong Awards for Industry and the Hong Kong Awards for Services. The former promotes industrial excellence in product design, productivity, quality, environmental performance, export marketing and technological achievement, while the latter promotes services excellence in innovation, productivity, customer service, tourism services and export marketing.

Trade and Industrial Support Organisations

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), a statutory body established in 1966, is responsible for promoting and expanding Hong Kong's external trade in goods and services. With a global network of more than 40 offices in major business centres around the world, the TDC helps its customers, mainly local SMEs, develop marketing opportunities, trade contacts, market knowledge and competitive skills. It also seeks to project and uphold a positive image of Hong Kong as the international trade platform in Asia. To this end, it organised more than 350 promotional events in and outside Hong Kong in 2002.

Among its promotional events, the TDC organised 15 international trade fairs. (seven of which were the biggest in the region) and three public exhibitions. These events attracted more than 14 000 exhibitors and over 1.2 million visitors, including 160 000 from overseas. The TDC also organised participation by Hong Kong companies in major trade events around the world.

In its product and services promotions, the TDC placed a particular emphasis on the Mainland. Apart from treating the Mainland as a fast growing market, the TDC

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