ENG-2015 — Page 132

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Commerce and Industry

Trade and Industrial Support Organisations

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) was established under the HKTDC Ordinance to promote, assist and develop trade with places outside Hong Kong, with particular reference to exports; and to make such recommendations to the government as it sees fit in relation to any measures which it considers would achieve an increase in Hong Kong's trade. It operates a global network of more than 40 offices, including 13 on the Mainland, to promote Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with the Mainland and throughout Asia.

The HKTDC helps local companies, especially SMEs, capitalise on business opportunities by promoting Hong Kong as Asia's global business platform and lifestyle trendsetter. It also promotes the territory's advantages in services sectors, including finance, professional services, infrastructure services, logistics and trading, information and communication technology, and the creative industries.

Enhancing the competitiveness of 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 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 2015, the corporation's total insured business fell 3.6 per cent to $108 billion while gross premium income dropped 9.0 per cent to $266.3 million on the back of sluggish exports. Cash claims payments decreased 9.5 per cent to $52.6 million. To help Hong Kong exporters seize business opportunities and explore overseas markets, the corporation continued to provide various measures, including the waiver of annual policy fees and a free buyer credit assessment service. It also continued to support SMEs by extending special concessions - a premium discount and a policy fee waiver - on the Small Business Policy, which is designed for exporters with annual business turnover of less than $50 million, and increasing the maximum liability of the policy from $5 million to $10 million, including $5 million for pre-shipment cover and $5 million for post-shipment cover.

Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council 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, namely, 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. It 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 council 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, it continues to forge close technological

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