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Commerce and Industry

HKTDC promoted Hong Kong's professional services, while stepping up efforts to differentiate Hong Kong merchandise by highlighting reliable quality, stylish designs and adherence to stringent green and safety standards. The HKTDC's focus in new markets was primarily on path- finding and image-building to identify business opportunities for Hong Kong SMEs.

Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation

To encourage and support the export trade, the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) was established by statute to protect Hong Kong exporters against non- payment risks arising from commercial and political events. Its contingent liability under contracts of insurance is guaranteed by the HKSAR Government, currently standing at $40 billion. The ECIC is required to operate in compliance with the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Ordinance and to pursue a policy directed towards securing revenue sufficient to meet all expenditure properly chargeable to its revenue account.

The ECIC's total insured business in 2013 amounted to $100 billion, an increase of 5.3 per cent over 2012. Gross premium income maintained at $282.5 million. Cash claims payments decreased by 34.9 per cent to $55.76 million.

As the global economy remained volatile, the ECIC continued to provide various enhanced measures to protect and assist Hong Kong exporters, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in managing credit risk and grasping orders. In March, the ECIC introduced a 'Small Business Policy' scheme for Hong Kong enterprises with an annual business turnover of less. than $50 million, providing exporters with more flexibility in taking out insurance cover. Policyholders enjoy waiver of the annual policy fee and up to 20 per cent premium discount. In November, the ECIC extended the annual policy fee waiver for a further year to 30 November 2014.

Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) promotes productivity excellence among Hong Kong enterprises. Its focus is on the manufacturing and service industries in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region in four areas: manufacturing technologies, information technologies, environmental technologies and management systems. The council helps Hong Kong manufacturers move up the value ladder through higher technology and better manufacturing processes. The HKPC is a strong promoter of 'green' manufacturing and continually introduces new technology to assist manufacturers in meeting the environmental requirements of Hong Kong, the Mainland and other countries. The HKPC also houses the Automotive Parts and Accessory Systems R&D Centre which undertakes market-led R&D projects in collaboration with industry, universities and research institutions. In addition, the HKPC continues to forge close technological collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland to help innovative industries capitalise on new business opportunities and to strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong's business and manufacturing sectors.

Other Trade and Industrial Support Organisations

The Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce

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