March is the last month of renewal for membership for 2002 for Chamber corporate members. Partly because of the poor economic conditions, there are companies who have already told us that they will not renew this year. However, in our view, precisely because of the very competitive environment that companies operate in today, unless they simply cannot afford the HK$4,000 dues, or are being merged or acquired, the reasons for them to be a HKGCC member are stronger than ever.

This is because the Chamber caters to a wide diversity of members, making its voice the most powerful in the Hong Kong business community. The government and the public cannot dismiss us as a "special interest" group, as the interest of the entire business community here is being promoted by the Chamber. There is no better example of this than our proposal to the SAR Government to enter into a WTO-compliant free trade agreement with China, which will have significant long-term benefits for the Hong Kong economy. We are pleased that discussions are well on their way between Hong Kong and Beijing on this very important, though difficult, concept. In addition, Chamber members -- through our committee system -- are asked almost daily to provide their views on legislation, new regulations, new fees and charges, and new taxes. These are very critical issues facing Hong Kong today, now that we know the deficit is not going to go away.

For those members who want to get the latest relevant information to help them run their business, the Chamber programmes -- both large and small -- enable them to stay up-to-date on what is happening. From our Distinguished Speakers Series hotel luncheons with 500-plus attendees to the packed HK$100 sandwich roundtables in the Chamber's conference room, from trade missions -- such as the 50-strong delegation which visited China in January to see the Beijing Olympic Committee -- to receiving more than 200 visiting delegations from around the world, not a day goes by which does not see a Chamber programme that can help your business.

For individual problems that members encounter, especially the smaller businesses, the Chamber has a Business Assistance Hotline (2823-1203, 2823-1236). Members can also use our excellent connections throughout the world -- especially in Beijing and provinces and cities in China -- and the Joint Business Liaison Commission that the Chamber formed with three other Chambers and an organisation in China to handle more nagging disputes.

Moreover, the networking occasions which can either help you develop new business or solve an old business problem are numerous. Our trade inquiry system helps traders who want to expand their overseas business contact network, and our Certificate of Origin service is the best in Hong Kong.

We also have become the foremost experts on China's WTO entry in the Hong Kong business community, providing information through workshops, our Web site and publications to help smaller businesses adjust to the new more rule-based, more open, more transparent, and more competitive business environment in China.