Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) is
the SAR's statutory body responsible for promoting and expanding Hong
Kong's trade with the world, as well as promoting Hong Kong's image as
a business partner.

The TDC has a world-wide network of 51 offices in 34 countries and
regions, effectively serving as the international marketing arm for the
SAR's manufacturers and service providers.

During 1997, the TDC supervised for the government the on-time
completion of the Extension to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre, which became the site for the handover ceremonies. It was also
the venue for the 1997 annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the
International Monetary Fund. The Extension has more than doubled the
space available at the Convention Centre for fairs and trade events and
helped consolidate the HKSAR's position as the trade fair capital of Asia.

The TDC organises some 300 promotional events world wide each year,
providing cost-effective channels for local manufacturers and traders to
reach international buyers.

In 1996-97, these events attracted participation from 12 000 Hong Kong
companies. Of the 20 international trade fairs and exhibitions organised by
the TDC in Hong Kong, six were the largest in Asia. These fairs attracted
more than 7 800 exhibitors and 1.2 million visitors to Hong Kong.

In 1997, the TDC launched three new fairs in Hong Kong: FILMART,
electronicAsia, and the Hong Kong International Hardware Show.

During 1996-97, many of the 300 promotional events were in new
markets. South America, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, were
designated as target areas for promotional efforts, identifying new
business opportunities and promoting Hong Kong as a reliable source of
quality products and sophisticated services. One of the biggest efforts
was a promotion at the Galerias Pacifico Mall in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In the established markets of North America and Europe, the TDC
continued to help Hong Kong companies meet the challenges of
increasing competition by expanding and upgrading their presence at the
world's largest fairs.

The TDC also continued to promote Hong Kong's economic image by
arranging incoming and outgoing business missions and through their
network of high-level business and media contacts.

In 1997, the Hong Kong/Europe and Europe/Hong Kong Economic
Co-operation Committees were formed with the assistance of the TDC.
These committees joined existing ones involving the United States and
Japan in fostering and supporting business ties between Hong Kong and
these important trading partners.

During 1996-97, the TDC continued to upgrade its information resources,
making it easier for traders to access its services, and its databank of
business contacts was expanded to over 624 000 entries. Its trade enquiry
service went on-line globally in January 1997 with the launch of
TDC-LINK Internet.

The TDC also expanded its trade publications, launching Hong Kong
Construction, Hong Kong Footwear, Hong Kong Financial Services,
Hong Kong Printing and Supertrader Hong Kong. Plans were under way
to start three new service sector directories dealing with infrastructure,
telecommunications and transportation.

Finally, at the heart of the TDC's operations is its commitment to small
and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for 98 per cent of
Hong Kong's trading companies. In 1997, the TDC expanded its efforts
to help SMEs with initiatives such as strengthening the TDC Business
InfoCentre (formerly TDC Business Library), refurbishing a virtual SME
centre on the TDC website, converting TDC datashops located
throughout Hong Kong into SME 'service stations' of information,
publishing trade manuals and holding seminars.

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