Promoting Hong Kong Industries to Overseas

Promoting Hong Kong industries and Hong Kong products to overseas is one of the core areas of our work. In the past year, the FHKI organised some 20 outgoing missions to markets of interest to members and received over 45 business delegations from economies around the world. These activities were helpful for members to connect with potential buyers and obtain first-hand information about the global market trends. We also took part in various trade fairs and investment symposia to assist members in reaching out to growth markets abroad.

To further strengthen our work in this area, the FHKI has deepened collaboration with foreign business chambers in trade promotion and sharing market news. Last year, Memoranda of Understanding were signed with the following overseas trade associations with a view to step up mutual co-operation:

l            Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands

l            Hong Kong-Canada Business Association

l            Asia-Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Chile

l            Ankara Chamber of Commerce, Turkey

In partnership with these associations, we are organising a series of activities, including trade missions and business matching, to help members strengthen their international contacts and look for new business opportunities in emerging markets.

Next month, the FHKI and Hong Kong Trade Development Council will co-organise a business mission to Latin America, including the major cities of Mexico, Brazil and Chile. During the tour, we will visit local trade associations, leading wholesalers and retailers, as well as the House and Gift Fair South America held in San Paulo, Brazil. As Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016, activities will be arranged for the participants to pursue manufacturing opportunities for World Cup and Olympics souvenir licensees. Members interested to explore the Latin America markets are requested to sign up early.

Product Safety

Hong Kong manufacturers are keenly aware of the importance of product safety and reliability. Over the years, the FHKI has striven to support members to keep abreast of new safety standards of our markets and adopting best practices to enhance product safety management.

In order to help Hong Kong SMEs comply with the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a one-year support programme which included missions, seminars and an enquiry hotline were launched to assist them in acquiring a thorough understanding of their obligations, keeping up-to-date with the regulatory developments, and learning the principles of a sound hazardous substance management system. Upon publishing a practical guide and distributing it to the stakeholders, the programme was successfully completed in August last year. Members may download the guidebook and presentation materials of the seminars at the following website: <www.gma.org.hk>.

We are grateful to the SME Development Fund for providing funding support for the project.

Updating Members on Mainland’s Trade and Industrial Policies

Over the past years, an array of new trade and industrial policies have been introduced by the Guangdong and Central Governments with a view to reshaping the industrial structure of the PRD. Through our in-house circulars, monthly magazine and the website, members are kept alert to these policies.