Supertrader:Hong Kong ． 40 Years of Trade

In the last 40 years, trade and industry has expanded dramatically in In the last 40 years, trade and industry has expanded dramatically in

Hong Kong, with annual trade valued at more than HK$4,500 billion Hong Kong, with annual trade valued at more than HK$4,500 billion

in 2005.in 2005.

Hong Kong is the world's 11Hong Kong is the world's 11thth largest trading economy. Trade and largest trading economy. Trade and

industry employ a workforce of more than 1.3 million.industry employ a workforce of more than 1.3 million.

Trade - Hong Kong’s Lifeblood

Founded October 1, 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Founded October 1, 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development

Council (TDC) is a statutory organisation responsible for promoting Council (TDC) is a statutory organisation responsible for promoting

Hong Kong’s exports of goods and services. Hong Kong’s exports of goods and services.

The TDC now has more than 40 offices around the world. The TDC now has more than 40 offices around the world.

East Africa was an important export market for East Africa was an important export market for

Hong Kong products in the 1960s. Hong Kong products in the 1960s.

As there were no regularly scheduled trade As there were no regularly scheduled trade

fairs, the TDC converted a container truck into fairs, the TDC converted a container truck into

a mobile exhibition unit, promoting Hong Kong a mobile exhibition unit, promoting Hong Kong

products to local consumers across Africa. products to local consumers across Africa.

60S

Plastic Flowers The Kingdom of

In the 1960s, assembling plastic flowers at home for local In the 1960s, assembling plastic flowers at home for local

factories was a means of supplementing income for many factories was a means of supplementing income for many

families. families.

Later, Hong Kong manufacturers turned to plastic dolls. Later, Hong Kong manufacturers turned to plastic dolls.

Their production activities laid the foundation for the Their production activities laid the foundation for the

development of Hong Kong’s toy industry in the 1970s. development of Hong Kong’s toy industry in the 1970s. 

Today, Hong Kong is the world's largest and second-Today, Hong Kong is the world's largest and second-

largest exporter of artificial flowers and toys respectively. largest exporter of artificial flowers and toys respectively. 

What’s yourcontribution?

Something as small as a flower contributes to

Hong Kong’s economy.

70SLaunched by the TDC in 1977, the Young Launched by the TDC in 1977, the Young

Designers’ Show helps develop new Designers’ Show helps develop new

fashion design talent in Hong Kong.fashion design talent in Hong Kong.

The lack of exhibition venues in the 1970s and 1980s meant that The lack of exhibition venues in the 1970s and 1980s meant that

Hong Kong SMEs could participate only in overseas trade fairs. Hong Kong SMEs could participate only in overseas trade fairs.

Local exhibitions took place mostly in hotels or the World Trade Local exhibitions took place mostly in hotels or the World Trade

Centre in Causeway Bay. Centre in Causeway Bay. 

Phase 1 of the CEC was officially opened in 1988, providing more Phase 1 of the CEC was officially opened in 1988, providing more

than 25,000 square metres of exhibition space.than 25,000 square metres of exhibition space.

80S70S

80S70S

In 1979, Hong Kong overtook In 1979, Hong Kong overtook

Switzerland and Japan as theSwitzerland and Japan as the

world’s largest watch exporterworld’s largest watch exporter

in terms of quantity.in terms of quantity.

Hong Kong became the world’sHong Kong became the world’s

largest clothing exporter in terms largest clothing exporter in terms

of value in 1983.of value in 1983.

Hong Kong’s economy was at a critical stage of Hong Kong’s economy was at a critical stage of

transformation in the 1980s and 1990s.transformation in the 1980s and 1990s.  

With services making up 90 per cent of its GDP (the With services making up 90 per cent of its GDP (the

world’s highest), Hong Kong is now a service-based world’s highest), Hong Kong is now a service-based

economy. Trade, finance and logistics became its new economy. Trade, finance and logistics became its new

economic pillars.economic pillars.

Hong Kong also helps mainland enterprises “go out” and Hong Kong also helps mainland enterprises “go out” and

companies around the world expand in Asia.companies around the world expand in Asia.

80SNOW

Are you proud of the effort made by

Hong Kong people?

we accompany Hong Kong manufacturers to promotions around the we accompany Hong Kong manufacturers to promotions around the

world, taking with us Hong Kong’s stylish products, designs, brands and world, taking with us Hong Kong’s stylish products, designs, brands and

services. services.

From container trucks to commercial airlines, from East Africa to the From container trucks to commercial airlines, from East Africa to the

world, the TDC continues to blaze new trails with Hong Kong companies. world, the TDC continues to blaze new trails with Hong Kong companies.

Today,

The economy is changing fast.

Can you catch up?

Let’s Create Our Own Future

Technology, Design and Innovationfor Tomorrow

FUTURE

FUTUREDo you see the future of Hong Kong?

FUTURE

FUTUREYOU lead the future!

PLEASE SEND THIS MESSAGE ON TO OTHERS!PLEASE SEND THIS MESSAGE ON TO OTHERS!