The development of Hong Kong’s trade and industry has undergone transformations, making significant contributions to the local economy. Hong Kong gradually transitioned from an entrepot to a manufacturing base starting from the 1950s and saw rapid industrial growth in the 1960s and 1970s, which became a major driver of economic expansion. At that time, many industrial enterprises were labour-intensive and export-oriented.

By the 1980s, with the implementation of the country’s reform and opening up policies as well as the relocation and expansion of manufacturing activities offshore, Hong Kong’s role has evolved into a command and control centre with an increasingly globalised production network. With control centres based in headquarters in Hong Kong, industrial enterprises oversee the production activities relocated abroad, with the aid of various supporting services in Hong Kong. Turning into the 1990s, Hong Kong’s economic development has gradually shifted toward the service industries.

With the surge in external trade and increase in trade-related activities, the former Trade Department was expanded and renamed as the Trade and Industry Department (TID) in 2000, taking over from the former Industry Department general support services for the industrial sector and small and medium enterprises. TID will continue to facilitate and support the development of trade and industry in Hong Kong, and strive to enhance the status of Hong Kong as an international trade centre as supported by the National 14th Five-Year Plan.