1. Background of Establishment

While the textile industry in Hong Kong was yet to flourish in the 1950s and 60s, the industry of distributing mainland textile and apparel was already booming.

The prosperity did not just provide raw materials for the local textile and garment manufacturing industries, but also made significant contributions on meeting the public’s demands for consumer goods. Hence, 6 different trade associations were formed by various distributors in the industry including The Hong Kong-Kowloon Yarn and Fabrics Association and Rayon Printed Fabrics, collectively known as the “Chinese Textiles Products Dealers Alliance” (the Alliance), for the purpose of strengthening the links and communications among fellow members. These trade associations consisted of over 1,000 corporate members.

Changes in the business environment and market demands, and the implementation of reform and opening-up policy in Mainland China, for a better operational model and a continuous expansion, have facilitated the move out of factories from Hong Kong to China and other foreign countries.

In early 1996, a radical reformation was held in the Alliance and more members joint. The Hong Kong General Chamber of Textiles (HKGCOT) was established on 2nd June 1997, aiming at increasing the cohesion among members of the industry, fortifying social impacts, and promoting further developments of the textile industry so as to initiate more new trends and to enhance the prosperity and stability of the city.

2. Composition of Members

Members of the HKGCOT were largely originated from the Alliance. Though the membership structure has been altered under the changing national policies and economic status it is expanding year by year. Currently there are hundreds of corporate members in the HKGCOT, among them mostly are well-established and reputable in both Hong Kong and Mainland China that specialized in textile, printing and dyeing, garment, home textile, and manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing of other apparel accessories.

3. Social Recognition

For just 6 months after its establishment, the HKGCOT was recognized by the Hong Kong SAR Government as the “Textiles and Garment Functional Constituency” in the LegCo election. And the LegCo further passed the decision of making corporate members of the HKGCOT eligible voters for the “Textiles and Garment Functional Constituency” 2 years later. Such decision has reflected the importance of the HKGCOT that the HKSAR Government has placed in the sector.

The HKGCOT has always maintained close connections with stakeholders, relevant government departments, and chambers of commerce in major markets like the Greater China region, Asia region, Europe as well as the America, to create roadmaps for the industry.

Issues concerning the industry are also discussed with many local and overseas textile associations and government officials, for example, during the Sino-US trade negotiations in 2004/2005, the HKGCOT was actively involved in taking up the role as the communication bridge among all parties.

On 17th August, 2011, the HKGCOT signed an “Exchange and Cooperation Agreement” with China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel under the witness of Mr. Li Keqiang, the then State Vice Premier, Mr. Donald Tsang, the then Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and Chen Deming, the then Chinese Minister of Commerce. The cooperation has written a new page in deepening the close collaboration in the textile industry between Hong Kong and Mainland China. Both parties have committed to several task implementations and 7 major projects are to be carried out regularly, including bilateral exchange of information, holding seminars and forums, joint research projects, and overseas visits. It was through the joint efforts of both parties that the development of the textile industry in both places can be further fostered.

In addition, HKGCOT has signed Memorandum of Understanding with American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), International Apparel Federation (IAF), Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC). The Chamber’s connections with North America, Europe, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Africa are further strengthened.

4. “Hong Kong Textile News”

With the global textile and apparel trade entering the quota-free era in 2005, the market structure started to reintegrate and more fierce competitions were expected. In view of the changes in market trend, the HKGCOT had launched publishing the “Hong Kong Textile News” as a monthly newspaper’s supplement, to provide relevant information to members of the textile industry. In the past 16 years, a total of 148 issues, each with over 200,000 copies, were published and released through newspapers. Apart from providing information to industry members in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan and Macau, various government departments, trade associations, universities and mass media, etc. are also served, and overwhelmingly positive feedbacks were received.

The “Hong Kong Textile News” has been changed to a quarterly and released along with Wen Wei Po in March, June, September, and December every year. To better provide market information and raise our overall service standard, the “Hong Kong Textile Net” will also synchronize with the “Hong Kong Textile News” and simultaneous news and updates for readers will be announced.

5. Website of the HKGCOT

The HKGCOT has set up its website at www.textileschamber.org since early 2004, to better serve its members and fellow members of the textile and garment industry. Introduction to the HKGCOT, Activities of the HKGCOT, Industry News, Statistical Information, Interviews, etc. can be found on the website.

6. Past and Present Chairmen and President of the Supervisory Board:

Honorable Life-Chairmen

Dr. Charles YEUNG , WONG Sau-ching , Henry TAN , Albert NGAN Kam-wai ,      CHAN Oi-ching , Dr. Gordon YEN , Nyleptha SHIU Lo Mo-ching

Chairman

Dr. Raymond CHU Lop Fu

President of the Supervisory

Barry LU

Executive Vice Chairmen

Sunny TAN , YEUNG Wai-kwok , QU Zhi-ming

Vice Chairmen

ZHANG Hong-xia , Liza CHENG , CHEN Ling-fen (CHEN Ling) , GUAN Shu-min , REN Wei-ming , Jennifer YEUNG , KennyYANG Si-kit , Dr. Irene TANG , Patrick WONG , Vicky SUNG , Randi DER , Benny LEUNG，

Director

Vincent WONG Tai-wing , YEUNG Kam , James WONG , Ray SHIU , Andrew YAU Hang Tat , Janson CHU , Connie CHAN，Tai Chin Chun，Ngan Kam Wai, Albert，Hung Yau Lit , Shea Ming Chung , Tan Jeffrey Shaw Ying , Su Tan Jennifer Sze Tink , Cheng Kwan Wai , Fan Ling Sum, Chan Mung Ching , Lam Chun Lung , Chung Ming ,Ngan Lee Lei Eleanor, Wong Chui Han,Lau Kam Sau , Watt Sin Wa, Hui Chung Ying CONSTANZIA ,Tan Cedrick Jon Ang , Chan Wai Ying , Wong Tung Ming ,Tan Camille Ann Ang

Secretary General

Ray SHIU

Vice Secretary General

Connie CHAN

Treasurer

Janson CHU

會長個人簡介：

Raymond Chu Lop Fu, Ph.D (Hon.) DBA, A.T.I.
Chairman

• Chemtax Industrial Company Limited –  Chairman
• World Outstanding Chinese
• Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Guangxi Autonomous Region – Member
• Federation of Hong Kong Guangxi Community Organizations Limited – Executive President
• Kowloon City District Fire Safety Ambassador Honorary Presidents’ Association – Honorary President
• China Knitting Industry Association – Director
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Development Foundation – Life Member
• SSP Commercial & Liaison Committee – Member
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University CEO Club – Fellow
• Hong Kong New Arrivals Services Foundation Ltd – Executive President

President of the Supervisory Board

Barry LU

• Kian Nan Trading Co Ltd – General Manager

Permanent Honorary Chairmen

WONG Sau-ching

• The 8th – 11th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – Committee Member
• All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese – Consultant
• Hong Kong & Kowloon Mineral Products Merchants Association – President
• The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce – Honorary Standing Committee Member 
• Hong Kong Hainan Commercial Association Permanent Honorary President
• Election Committee of HKSAR – Member

Henry TAN BBS, JP, LHK

• Hong Kong Deputy, National People’s Congress, PRC
• Chief Executive Officer, Luen Thai Group Limited
• Chief Executive Officer, S.A.I. Leisure Group Company Limited
• Member of College Council & Chairman of Advisory Committee, College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Honorary Court Member, Hong Kong Baptist University
• Chairman, Textile Council of Hong Kong

Dr. Gordon Yen

• Radiant Tech Ventures Limited – Founding Managing Partner
• Fountain Set (Holdings) Ltd – Non-Executive Vice Chairman 
• Henan Provincial Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference – Committee Member
• The Hong Kong Association of Textile Bleachers, Dyers, Printers and Finishers Ltd – Honorary Chairman
• Hong Kong Business Angel Network – Chairman
• Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce – Director

Nyleptha SHIU Lo Mo-ching

• Wah Fung Knitters Limited– Managing Director
• China Knitting Industry Association – General Committee Member
• Guangdong Province Textile Association – General Committee Member
• CCCT – Part-time Vice Chairman
• Election Committee of Hong Kong Special
  Administrative Region – Member
• National People’s Congress Election
  Committee Member

Executive Vice Chairmen

Sunny TAN

Luen Thai Holdings Limited – Executive Vice President

YEUNG Wai-kwok

Bros Holding Limited – Managing Director

QU Zhi-ming

Shangtex (Hong Kong) Limited – Vice Chairman

Honorable Chairman

CAO Jia-chang (China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Textile & Apparel – Chairman)

YEUNG  Fan      (The Glorious Sun Holdings Ltd – Vice-chairman and General Manager)

Honorary Chairman

YU Kwok-chun (National Committee of the CPPCC – Standing Committee Member)

CHAN Wing-kee (The 10th-12th National Committee of the CPPCC – Standing Committee Member)

LAM Shu-chit (The 12th National Committee of the CPPCC – Standing Committee Member)

LAM Tai-fai ( National Committee of the CPPCC – Member)

Andrew LEUNG Kwan -yuen (President of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR)      

Irons SZE  (Deputy Director of the national committee of the CPPCC Subcommittee of Human,Resources and Environment )

Sophie LEUNG LAU Yau-fun (The 10th-12th National People’s Congress, P.R.C. – Hong Kong Deputy)

Pauline NGAN Po-ling (National People’s Congress, P.R.C. – Hong Kong Deputy)

LI Ya-fang (The 10th National Committee of the CPPCC – Standing Committee member)

YU Sun-say (The 10th-11th National Committee of the CPPCC – Standing Committee member)

Kenneth FANG Hung (The 11th National Committee of the CPPCC – Member)

TAN Siu-lin (Cross-Strait Peaceful Development Federation – Founding President)

Steven CHEN (Taiwan Textile Federation /Tah Tong Textile Co., Ltd. – Executive Director / Chairman)

Willy LIN Sun-mo (Hong Kong Productivity Council – Chairman)

CHOI Hin-to (Hong Kong Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. – Managing Director)

Stanley SZETO ( Textile Council of Hong Kong – Chairman)

HUI Cheung-wing (A-Fontane Group Limited – Chairman)

FAN Ling-sum (Hongkong Textile News – Former Editor in Chief)

Billy LAM (Tai Sun Holdings Company Ltd – Director & Deputy General Manager)

Honorary Adviser

ZHANG Xin-min (China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Textile & Apparel -Vice Chairman)

WANG Yu (China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Textile & Apparel -Vice Chairman)

ZHANG Xi-an (China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Textile & Apparel – Vice Chairman)

REN Guang-bin (China Import and Export Fair – Previous Director)

TSANG Jim-way (Continental Pacific Corp., Ltd. – Chairman)

CHAN Kit-sang (Glitter Company Limited – Managing Director)

Prof PhilipYEUNG K. W.  (Clothing Industry Training Authority – Executive Director)

Edwin KEH (The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel – Chief Executive Officer )

Prof John XIN H. (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute of Textiles and Clothing – Chair Professor )

MOK Hin-ming (Associated Drapers Textiles Ltd. – Chairman)

Dr. Gloria YAO-lei (The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel – Director, Project Development)

Sally PENG, Esq            

Dr. HO Kai-chiu (Hansk New Materials Holdings Ltd. – Research & Development Director)

Honorary Auditor

Louis LAI Kim-man (Louis Lai & Luk CPA Limited – Director)

Danny LUK Wing-hay  (Louis Lai & Luk CPA Limited – Director)

Honorary Legal Adviser

William LAM (William Lam And Company Solicitors -Solicitor)