By Eva Chow                      

The Chamber has signed Memorandums of Understanding with several organisations (see box) in recent years to further strengthen connections with overseas business associations.

These MOUs formalise a process of co-operation and understanding between the Chamber and business associations around the world which will provide working relations to help members of the organisations do business.

Business Networking
In the MOUs, the Chamber agrees to maintain close and regular contact with overseas associations. Parties will enhance mutual cooperation, promote activities of both parties and address issues of mutual concern.

With the assistance of these sister organisations, the Chamber has managed to organise a number of very successful overseas business missions, including missions to the "China International Trade Fair," western China and other areas in the PRC, and Israel, which have resulted in many members entering into some form of business cooperation.

Business Information
The MOUs also call for offering mutual assistance to promote the general understanding of markets and investment environments in respective areas.

In addition to regular exchanges of information and publications, both parties have agreed to share economic and business information, in addition to providing relevant information and services whenever requested by either party.

The Chamber will continue to expand its overseas networks to help members do business around the world.

Finally, members joining various trade area committees will receive regular business information bulletins pertinent to their committees' areas of interest.

Eva Chow is chief of the Chamber's International Business Division