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How is the Chamber Different from Other HK Business Organisations?

One may be able to say that Hong Kong has the most business organisations or chambers in any city in the world.  Most cities elsewhere only have one "chamber of commerce" representing their businesses. Because we are an international city, we probably have the largest number of foreign chambers of any city in the world.  We have in Hong Kong over 30 foreign chambers, more than 10 Hong Kong-wide chambers, numerous SME associations, several chambers catering to younger business men or women, many regional chambers within Hong Kong or Kowloon or the New Territories, and professional associations of many professions in town.  That is not counting the Trade Development Council, the Asia Society, and probably up to a hundred service clubs in Hong Kong.

Therefore, with membership in any of these organisations not mandatory, how does the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce distinguish itself from the others? And why would a company want to join us instead of -- or in addition to -- one of these other organisations? These are relevant questions as members are now being asked to renew their membership for 2005.  The answers are not just that our Chamber is the oldest -- since 1861 -- or the largest -- with 4,000 corporate members.  The most important reasons are as follows:

1. We are the only international business organisation which is local, and the only local business organisation which is international.  Around 25 percent of our members are foreign invested firms, and 70 percent are Hong Kong firms, with 5 percent being Mainland firms.  Therefore, our function is exactly like Hong Kong the city -- an international platform.

2. Our networks extend deep inside China and spread around the globe.  Whether you want to do business in remote parts of China, or Beijing, or Shanghai, or the Pearl River Delta, we have good connections with government officials and enterprises executives.  We receive almost 100 delegations from the Mainland per year and go up there several times a year.  On the other hand, whether you want to do business in the Middle East or South America or Europe or the USA, you can seek help from the Chamber.   This year, we have trips to Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and the United States.   We have hosted over 100 overseas delegations already this year.

3. We try to have relevant and timely programs, both on the macro side and on the "helping to do business" side.  Our seminars and luncheons and speeches all are designed to enhance the members' knowledge so that a better business decision can be made.   There are many programs in Hong Kong, and we cooperate with other organisations too on programs, but on closer examination, you will see our own programs to be second to none in terms of usefulness and profile.

4. Finally, perhaps the most important, the Chamber prides itself in its ability to come up with independent and creative ideas to help the business community.  Whether it is in our relentless push for CEPA four years ago, the civil service pay survey, our constitutional reform input, or on a myriad of business policy issues, our voice is different from other associations in its balance, thoughtfulness, originality, and determination.  Our secretariat is well equipped to work with our members to tap their expertise to come up with ideas to help business in Hong Kong.

So when you look around the crowded landscape of business associations in Hong Kong, we hope you come to the conclusion that we ARE different, and membership in HKGCC to complement whatever other membership you have does add value.

Eden Woon
CEO
HKGCC