ENG-2014 — Page 139

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Commerce and Industry

HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with the Mainland and throughout Asia.

The HKTDC helps Hong Kong companies, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), capitalise on business opportunities by promoting Hong Kong as Asia's global business platform. The HKTDC also promotes Hong Kong's advantages in services sectors including design and marketing, licensing, entertainment, finance, information and communication technology, infrastructure and real estate, intellectual property trade, logistics and professional services.

Enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong SMEs and start-ups in the digital era is a major focus of the HKTDC's work to help sustain Hong Kong's long-term economic growth.

Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation

The Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) was established by statute to encourage and support export trade through the provision of insurance protection for Hong Kong exporters against non-payment risks arising from commercial and political events.

In 2014, the ECIC's total insured business amounted to $112 billion, an increase of 12 per cent over 2013. Compared with 2013, the gross premium income grew modestly by 3.5 per cent to $292.5 million. Cash claims payments slightly increased by 4.2 per cent to $58.1 million. In view of the uncertain global economy, the ECIC continued to provide various measures to assist Hong Kong exporters, including waiver of annual policy fees and free buyer credit checks. The ECIC also offered premium discount to Small Business Policy policyholders, designed for exporters with annual business turnover of less than $50 million.

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 Mainland 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 and the Hong Kong Chinese Importers' and Exporters' Association promote the interests of, and

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