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Assistance to Members:
From General to Specific

As I have written in this column before, the Chamber's voice in the media is extremely important, because society now expects the business community to have views on a whole range of issues, even political ones, which invariably impact economic development.  Our policy suggestions are taken very seriously, and our positions on everything from taxation to civil service pay, and from CEPA to constitutional reform, often find their way into eventual government positions.  Our programs are inferior to none in Hong Kong, in terms of variety, timeliness, usefulness, prestige, and profile. Our committees provide members the forum to voice their policy concerns and to meet with others of similar business interests.  The information contained in our Web site, in our magazine, and in our other communication consistently rate high with our members.  The networking opportunities of the Chamber also are plentiful, since these range from meeting contacts and acquaintances at one of 300 programs we hold annually, or at our monthly happy hour, or at our golf outings and dinner clubs and membership cocktails.

So what else do Chamber members want for their HK$4,000 annual membership dues?  The answer is that many of them look for specific assistance for their business.  This is especially true with SMEs who rely on their membership to help their business in every way possible.  So now let me list for you some ways that we provide specific assistance:

1. Our Economists -- We are the only business organisation in town which has a Chief Economist; and not only that, we also have a China Economist.  Both of them are busy fielding queries from members every day.  Since CEPA was signed, our China Economist speaks to four or five members per day who call in with CEPA questions, and she meets with four or five of them per week for lengthy consulting. 

2. The Joint Business Liaison Committee -- This is a joint committee set up by HKGCC with three other local chambers and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.  It not only provides education on China business issues, but it also provides a channel where members can complain about their China business disputes.  Now in its fourth year, this commission is now busily helping companies tackle the red tape which block full usage of CEPA. 

3. Our Membership Team -- The Chamber has a business hotline (2823 1248) which receives about twenty calls per day on all sorts of business problems or problems with membership.  Our team either tries to solve the problem, or directs the caller to responsible persons within the Chamber or in the community or in the government.  We have often said:  "We do not know everything, but on everything, we know someone who knows something about it!"

4. Our Programs -- With members assistance, we organise timely programs targeted at resolving specific problems.  Whether it is with a government official from the SAR or from China, or with experts or lawyers and accountants, these programs provide a   platform for learning and discussing urgent problems facing our members.  For example, recently, after hearing from several members,  we organised a very useful China personal income tax seminar on concerns of new tax collection regulations.

5. Our Lobbying -- If members have a specific problem, we can write on their behalf to either the HKSAR or the Central governments.  We have excellent connections with both governments, and inside China, our connections go down to the provincial and city level.  Frequently we can get answers from them whereas our members cannot.  A recent example is a long response in a letter to us from the Vice Governor of Guangdong explaining in detail what the energy problem in Guangdong is and how they are trying to deal with it.

6. Our Advisory Role with the Government -- Our Chairman is on both the Economic and Employment Council, chaired by the Financial Secretary, and the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council, chaired by Victor Fung.  Both will produce policies with long-term impact on the business positioning of Hong Kong.  Other members sit on many other advisory committees set up by the government, influencing policies conducive to business.  Members can write to us on issues that we can forward to these committees. 

So, if you have a specific business problem, come knock on our door!  

Eden Woon
CEO
HKGCC