As part of the efforts to promote Hong Kong as an international centre of trade, commerce, finance and communications, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) participates actively in international and regional economic and trade organisations. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, the Basic Law provides that HKSAR may on its own, using the name "Hong Kong, China (HKC)", maintain and develop relations and conclude and implement agreements with relevant international organisations in the economic and trade fields among others. In addition to the World Trade Organization, the Trade and Industry Department coordinates HKC’s participation in the following trade and economic organisations:
APEC is an informal forum set up in 1989 for high level government-to-government dialogue on economic and trade issues. APEC aims to create greater prosperity for the people of the Asia-Pacific region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.
Since joining APEC in 1991, HKC has been actively participating in it, and continued our participation as a separate and full member after 1997. Trade between HKC and other member economies of APEC accounts for some 80% of our external trade. APEC therefore provides us with a good opportunity to cooperate with other member economies on a wide range of economic and trade issues in the Asia-Pacific region and reinforce our position as an international trade and financial centre.
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The OECD is an international organisation which serves as a global forum and knowledge exchange hub. Various thematic committees, expert and working groups under the OECD cover a wide range of economic, social and environmental issues. HKC is a Participant to two Committees of the OECD, and the Trade and Industry Department supports work in relation to the Trade Committee in particular.
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PECC is a non-governmental regional organisation founded in 1980 to serve as a regional forum for tripartite cooperation of government officials business leaders and academics to promote trade and economic development in the Pacific region. PECC is one of the three official observers of the APEC, and contributes constructively to the APEC process by undertaking various studies and projects for APEC.