OBJECTIVES

Focus

The Business Policy Unit (BPU) chaired by Tim Peirson-Smith (right) aims to provide comment and feedback to relevant governmental, regulatory bodies and other consultative and non-governmental organisations on matters of policy that directly or indirectly impact business activities in Hong Kong.

The group views Hong Kong in its wider economic context, and in addition to dealing with local policy affecting Hong Kong’s regulatory environment, also focuses on initiatives that will affect Hong Kong’s cross-boundary investment and trade flows and Hong Kong’s standing as an international business centre.

Scope and Activities

The BPU is the think tank of the British Chamber of Commerce and operates in support of the General Committee. The group acts to provide written feedback on policy changes and initiatives that warrant in-depth analysis and detailed response. The BPU interacts with the General Committee of the Chamber through routine meetings and by exchanges of members at meetings dealing with specific policy issues.

At the same time, the BPU interfaces with other British Chamber committees and interest groups to raise awareness at the General Committee level on the issues and concerns of importance to the wider British Chamber membership. In this way, the BPU is able to act as a “sounding board” for the Chairman and Executive Director on the stance to be adopted by the Chamber to reflect members’ interests on business matters.
 

In addition, the BPU

• Prepares appropriate and timely suggestions for the Hong Kong SAR Government’s annual Budget
• Prepares an appropriate and timely suggestions to the Chief Executive’s annual Policy Address
• Reviews, and when appropriate comments on, legislation proposed by the Hong Kong SAR Government
• Responds to requests to participate in consultations conducted by the Hong Kong SAR Government and other agencies
• Initiates constructive suggestions on how Hong Kong’s business climate might be improved or developed
• Interacts with other Chambers and interest groups as appropriate to safeguard Hong Kong’s strengths as an international business centre
• Interacts with representatives of British and other overseas governmental and business groups to increase awareness of Hong Kong’s strengths as an international business centre

 To access some of the papers submitted to government, please visit our page ‘Chamber Submissions'