Service industries are the major driving force of the world economy, with one-quarter of cross-border trade already in services. Hong Kong has developed into a service-oriented economy, with the services sector contributing 85.3% of the GDP and employing82.3% of the working population in 1999 (or respectively 94.1% and 92.3%  if construction and utilities services are included). In external trade, Hong Kong's exports of services now exceed than of its domestic manufactures.

The Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries was founded in 1990 by the  Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. It is the Chamber's service policy think tank. With representatives from more than 50 service sectors, the HKCSI is the major private sector voice for Hong Kong's service industries.

Aim of HKCSI

To promote the continuing development and competitiveness of Hong Kong's service industries.

To achieve this, the HKCSI seeks to:

  1. promote the development of a "service friendly environment" in Hong Kong.
  2. provide a focal point for liaison with Government.
  3. establish and maintain cooperation between members of Hong Kong's service industries for the purpose of achieving common goals.
  4. represent the interests of service industries in Hong Kong and to formulate policies and make submissions on behalf of members of the Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries.
  5. promote fair, effective and comprehensive international and multilateral rules for trade in services.
  6. contribute to the opening of the services sector of the Mainland
  7. establish and develop links with counterpart organisations elsewhere.

HKCSI Founding Members

 

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.
Hongkong Association of Freight Forwarding Agents Ltd.
Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd.
Hong Kong Shippers' Council.
Hong Kong Society of Accountants.
Hong Kong Telecommunications Ltd.
Hong Kong Tourism Association.
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.
The Chinese Banks' Association Ltd.
The Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners.
The Hong Kong Association of Banks.
The Hong Kong Bar Association.
The Hong Kong Deposit-Taking Companies Association.
The Hong Kong Exporters' Association.
The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers.
The Hong Kong Shipowners Association Ltd.
The Law Society of Hong Kong.
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd.

 

HKCSI Commmittees

Besides the Executive Committee, there are 5 committees under HKCSI:

Financial Services Committee
Information Services Committee
Professional Services Committee
Real Estate Services Committee
Tourism Committee

HKCSI Representation

The HKCSI has significant representation in the advisory bodies of the HKSAR Government. Its members sit on a wide range of government committees such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, the Services Promotion Strategy Group, the Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee, etc. On its own initiative or by invitation, the HKCSI presents papers extensively to the Government on issues affecting business and the economy in general, and the services sector in particular.

Internationally, the HKCSI is the Hong Kong private sector's principal spokesman on the General Agreement on Trade in Services in international and multilateral forums such as the World Trade Organisation, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Trade Policy Forum of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and the International CSI Conference.

HKCSI Tasks & Activities

Services Promotion Programme

In 1997, the Coalition initiated the Hong Kong Awards for Services, a key territory-wide programme in services promotion. The Honourable Tung Chee Hua, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is Patron of the Awards Scheme. A Tripartite Forum was launched by the Coalition in 1998 to engage key government officials, leading businessmen and academics in discussion on promotion of the Hong Kong’s "servicing economy". The event was transformed into a Quadrilateral Economic Forum in 1999 with the involvement of politicians.

Besides, the Coalition regularly organises various seminars, luncheons, workshops, conferences and other functions on a variety of subjects to promote service industries.

China Programme

An annual delegation to Beijing is held to exchange views on the development of tertiary industries in China with policy-making ministries and departments. The Coalition also conducts training seminars for Chinese officials and receives delegations from the Mainland.

Publications & Studies

The Coalition publishes a quarterly newsletter "Hong Kong: The Servicing Economy", a regular "HKCSI Newsletter," and other publications on specific topics. Research projects are conducted to investigate the development of the service sectors. Major studies include “Service 2000 - Opportunities from liberalisation of Trade in Services”, “China’s Entry into the WTO and the Impacts on Hong Kong’s Economy”, “China’s Tertiary Industries”, “Management Consultancy Sector in Hong Kong”, etc. The Coalition also publishes  Hong Kong's Yearly Services Statistics Card.

International CSIs

The Coalitions of Service Industries is an informal network of private-sector business organisations which share a common interest over the development of service industries worldwide. The CSIs meet about one a year in a CSI Conference, which consists of the following national business organisations:

In April 1998, the CSIs announced the formulation of the Global Services Network as the main private sector voice in pushing for greater liberalisation of trade in services.

The CSIs are also closely related to other international bodies with an interest in service industries which are of an academic and policy nature, suh as Services World Forum, the  WTO, OECD and UNCTAD.

HKCSI Address

The Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries

22/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 25299229 Fax: (852) 2527 9843

e-mail: csi@hkcsi.org.hk

Homepage: http://www.hkcsi.org.hk

 

csi@hkcsi.org.hk

 

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