Background
Consumers are changing their buying behaviour drastically today. To cope with this global market demand, export and sourcing industry players together with their suppliers must make efficient use of tools, adopt global standards and value-added services in supply chain management (SCM) in order to maintain international trade competitiveness for Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta Region. Major industry stakeholders are seeking to achieve not only technical compliance and social compliance during the course of goods production but also close collaboration with each other along the supply chain. In view of this, the Export Supply Chain Advisory Board was set up in 2006 facilitating Hong Kong export and sourcing industry to strengthen its competitiveness and improve business processes through the adoption of global supply chain management standards, technologies and practices.

Mission
The board aims to improve business processes and facilitate better supply chain collaboration and integration amongst Hong Kong export and sourcing industry, contribute to an improved production of consumer goods, establish industry standards for Hong Kong exports, maintain Hong Kong as worldwide major sourcing hub, and strengthen Hong Kong's position in knowledge and supply chain competence.

Interest Area
The board is interested in adopting global supply chain management standards and technologies such as GS1 standards and Supply Chain Operations Reference model (SCOR) in order to establish a closer business relationship with supply chain partners that will result in increase in business volume, decrease in transaction overhead and more streamline in supply chain operations.

Board Structure
The board is currently composed of representatives from major sourcing offices. Board meetings are held 4 times per year for members to share views and latest development and set direction on supply chain improvement for Hong Kong export and sourcing industry. Under the auspices of the board, work groups and task forces may be set up whenever needed to carry out related activities on either on-going basis or project basis. These work groups and task forces meet on an as-needed basis.

Role

1. Provide a neutral industry platform to address common industry interests and issues relating to supply chain improvement and standards and technologies adoption for Hong Kong export and sourcing industry.
2. Promote and market global supply chain standards and technologies to Hong Kong export and sourcing industry.
3. Provide guidance to GS1 Hong Kong's training and education programs, and industry support initiatives.
4. Establish industry role model to support SMEs' implementation of supply chain standards and technologies.
5. Advise the Government on policies relating to supply chain and logistics best practices, standards and technologies for the export and sourcing industry.
6. The activities of the Board will be driven by an agreed “Work Plan” which focuses on non-competitive global SCM building blocks and business processes improvement.

Your Participation
The membership of which is open to all sourcing offices.  Board membership is generally offered upon board's invitation only. However, if you want to play a more active role related to the direction of the board, you may contact GS1 Hong Kong for details.