ENG-2002 — Page 170

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) promotes excellence in productivity to enhance the value-added content of products and services.

In view of the rapid changes in recent years in the international environment, restructuring in the local industry scene and in southern China, and the resultant challenges to its mission, the HKPC commissioned a consultancy study in June 2001 on its role, management and operation. Pursuant to the consultancy study, HKPC has repositioned its service focus to provide integrated support to innovation and growth- oriented Hong Kong firms across the value chain. Its principal sectoral focus is on manufacturing, particularly in Hong Kong's foundation industries, and related service activities. The main geographical focus is Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.

Other Trade and Industrial Organisations

The local business community has a strong and well-established culture in forming trade and industrial associations to represent their interests. 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 are among the oldest and the most influential trade and industrial associations in Hong Kong. There are also numerous other associations, representing specific sectors or interests. In addition, there are various overseas chambers of commerce representing the interests of businesses from, for example, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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 3 000 member companies. Major services include the issuance of certificates of origin, organisation of overseas study missions, promotion and endorsement of products with the Hong Kong Quality Mark, and the provision of English Language Skills Assessment Tests. The federation categorises its members into 25 groups covering major industries and services. It also organises the annual Young Industrialist Awards of Hongkong and 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 3 700. Services provided include the issuance of certificates of origin and the organisation of industrial and trade promotion activities. It runs the Testing and Certification Laboratories which provide technical back-up services, including materials, consumer product and environmental 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.

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce is the oldest business association in Hong Kong. Founded in 1861, it has around 4 000 corporate members. It issues certificates of origin and is the sole local issuing authority for International Association Temporarie Admission Carnets. It also organises trade missions. The chamber is represented on many official advisory committees/bodies. It founded both the Hong Kong Article Numbering Association and the Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries. The chamber also sponsors the Hong Kong Committee of the Pacific Basin Economic Council.