The Trade Development Council's (TDC) operations will not change after 1997 despite next year's political transition, executive director Michael Sze Cho-cheung says.
The Government-backed body's decisions are made largely by representatives of business groups, and Mr Sze said this would continue for some time.
The council is made up of 19 members, with 10 of them representing six Hong Kong business bodies, including the General Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
The fact that business representatives form the bulk of council representatives, a factor mandated under present rules, is behind Mr Sze's confidence about the body's future.
The only effective difference to the ordinance governing the body's operation next year will concern the change in title of the political head of Hong Kong, Mr Sze said.
The Governor of Hong Kong has the power to appoint the chairman of the council, with the council responsible to the Governor.
After the middle of next year, the ordinance which marked the formation of the TDC will be amended, with the term to describe Hong Kong's government leader changed from governor to chief executive. This would have little effect on the TDC's operation, Mr Sze said.
