Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

Abbreviation	HKGCC
Formation	1861
Legal status	Not-for-profit organisation
Purpose	Chambers of commerce in Hong Kong
Location	22/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong
Region served	Hong Kong
Chairman	YK Pang
Website	Hong Kong General Chambers of Commerce

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC; Chinese: 香港總商會) was founded in 1861. It is a self-funding, non-profit organization whose mission is to safeguard and represent trade, service and industry in Hong Kong. It is the most international local business organization, the largest and the most influential chamber of commerce in Hong Kong, with about 4,000 members including multi-national corporations, local companies and Mainland companies.

Advocacy is one of the core functions and strengths of the Chamber. Every year it formulates positions on issues relevant to the business sector and communicates regularly with government officials and policy makers in the form of public campaigns, or position statements delivered to government.^[1]

The Chamber is the organization which came up with the concept of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) between Mainland and Hong Kong. In a report released in January 2000, the Chamber recommended the possibility of a “regional trade agreement” to enhance trade and economic relations between Hong Kong and Mainland China.^[2] The idea was taken positively by the then HKSAR Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, and the discussions between the HKSAR and the Central governments began. After the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, Hong Kong’s economy was given a strong shot in the arm to help it get back on its feet with the signing of CEPA, which gave Hong Kong companies access to the enormous China market.

The Chamber is a strong supporter of environmental protection. The Clean Air Charter was introduced in 2005 to encourage Hong Kong and Guangdong companies to reduce air pollution.^[3] More than 600 companies have endorsed the Charter. The Chamber has reduced its electricity consumption by 10% through the introduction of a series of energy-saving measures in 2006. All savings were donated to green organizations

History

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1861, just 20 years after the foundation of the Colony of Hong Kong with Alexander Perceval of British owned trading conglomerate Jardine, Matheson & Co as its first chairman.^[4] The original membership consisted of 62 companies.^[5]

At that inaugural meeting, the Chamber's role was clearly set out: "The object of the Chamber shall be to watch over and protect the general interests of Commerce, to collect information on all matters of interest to the Mercantile Community, and to use every means within its power for the removal of evils, the redress of grievances, and the promotion of the common good; to communicate with authorities and other thereupon; to form a code of practice whereby the transaction of business may be simplified and facilitated; to receive references; and to arbitrate between disputants -- the decisions in such references to be recorded for future guidance." ^[6]

CEPA

In HKGCC's report “China’s Entry into the WTO and its Impact on Hong Kong Business”, released on 18 January 2000, one of the key recommendations was to explore the possibility of setting up a regional trade agreement (RTA), also sometimes called a “free trade agreement”, as a concrete means to enhance further integration of trade and economic relations between Hong Kong and Mainland China. After China’s accession to the WTO in 2001, HKGCC once again presented the idea to Tung Chee-hwa, the then HKSAR Chief Executive. The idea struck a chord with Tung who then put forward the RTA concept to the Central Government. On 20 December 2001, President Jiang Zemin told Tung that the Central Government formally agreed to the suggestion, and consultation would begin immediately.^[2]

In January 2002, discussions between the HKSAR and the Central governments formally began, and a regional trade agreement was hammered out and formally named “Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement” or CEPA. HKGCC then submitted a paper entitled “Topwards a Regional Trade Agreement between China and HKSAR” to Antony Leung on 21 January 2002, put forward seven principles to guide the discussions on the RTA, emphasizing that CEPA must be compliant with WTO principles.^[7]

Despite being put on hold for months due to the outbreak of SARS during March – June 2003, negotiations resumed and CEPA's text was finally concluded by the Central and HKSAR government negotiators, and signed on 29 June 2003.

Certificates of Origin Services

The Chamber provides certification services in 7 districts in Hong Kong, and is by far the biggest location network in Hong Kong. The Certificates of Origin, Document Endorsement, Consulate Endorsement Facilitation and Paper to EDI Conversion issued are fully recognized by consulates, banks and customs houses throughout the world.^[8]

Good Citizen Award

HKGCC has been the sole sponsor of the Good Citizen Award since its inception in 1973. The Award rewards citizens who have contributed to the safety of the community by assisting the police catch criminals. The scheme was set up as part of the first Fight Crime Campaign, funded by generous donations from Chamber members and the community. Over the years, more than 3,600 citizens have been commended for their bravery in combating crime.

List of Chairperson

References

External links

• The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Official website
• Clean Air Charter Official website
• Certificates of Origin Services, HKGCC Official website