ICC News Flash INCOTERMS 2010 By the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)   ICC Publication No, 715, available September, 2010   Presales now open ! Click here for more information. Please click here for pre-publication order form. Incoterms 2010 reflects changes and evolutions in international business and commercial practice. In addition to the 11 Incoterms rules, this publication contains graphics and extensive guidance notes to facilitate their use. Since 1936, ICC's Incoterms help traders avoid misunderstandings by clarifying costs, risks, and the allocation of certain responsibilities of buyers and sellers in sales contracts.

Committee on Volunteering of the ICC-HK was established to support and promote corporate volunteering among members and in the private sector in 2009.

A volunteer team of the Chamber joined the HSBC "Share-to-Care" Volunteer Campaign, organized by Agency for Volunteer Service on 31 January 2010. Please find below Members' experience sharing of the volunteerism:

HSBC "Share to Care" Campaign on 31 January 2010

"It was really a very worthwhile event for us.  To start with, while we have been supporting various NGOs and community activities, it is at the board level and from a donation point of view.  This is really the first time to be at the front line taking part ourselves. It was of course beneficial for the children, an opportunity for them to see another part of HK and hopefully they will be more appreciative of the "privileged" environment they live in. I was also impressed with the public housing in Hong Kong.  I now have a better sense and will be more supportive of the Government.  I think the Government has done a great job in providing very reasonable accommodation for the people of Hong Kong." said Mr. Sebastian Man, Chairman of the ICC-HK Committee on Volunteering.

"The population pyramid of Hong Kong becomes top heavy with the proportionate increase of senior citizens. With luck, the city is blessed by the presence of troops of educated volunteers and non-profit organizations, who combined to contribute tirelessly towards the well being of the seniors. Their good efforts and programs of work deserve continuous support from the public & private sectors, however, every individual of the community can make a difference." said Mr. Dennis H. Ip, ICC-HK Executive Committee member.
 
"Whilst the formalities and ceremony could have been shorter in order to maintain interest particularly of the young, the Sunday afternoon spent visiting the frail and disadvantaged members of society was a Sunday well spent.  It enriched our experience of the realities of life and enhanced our appreciation of our own good fortune and wish to share and care more.  Thanks very much to the organisers and credit to the social workers who did a great job." said Mrs. Mary Thomson, Chairperson of the ICC-HK Committee on Arbitration.

ICC International Court of arbitration to open offices in Asia

Hong Kong, 14 March 2008

The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce and the Secretariat of the ICC Court have decided to locate their new offices in Hong Kong and Singapore.

In recognition of the growing importance of the Asia Pacific region to ICC Dispute Resolution Services and the ICC International Court of Arbitration, ICC announced in September 2007 its intention to establish a branch of the Court's Secretariat in Asia to administer ICC cases in the region.

ICC has now decided on two important initiatives:

• It will open a branch of the Secretariat of the Court in Hong Kong with a case management team to administer cases in the region under the ICC Rules of Arbitration.

• It will locate the Director, ICC Arbitration and Amicable Dispute Resolution Asia in Singapore, where it will open a liaison office dedicated to ICC Dispute Resolution Services.

Both initiatives will be implemented in the last quarter of 2008 and should be fully operational by the end of the year.

The Secretary General of the ICC Court, Jason Fry, commented: "We are very excited by these two steps which reflect our conviction that the Asia Pacific region is of significant importance to the future of ICC Dispute Resolution Services. Our desire was to respond to an increasing demand for the provision of high quality services locally. ICC is a truly international organization and as such wishes to ensure its global reach to the international business community."

He added: "We are grateful for the encouragement we have received from the governments of Singapore and Hong Kong to come to the region. Both Singapore and Hong Kong are recognized hubs for international dispute resolution. That fact is reflected in this two pronged approach to the region."

The Chairman of the ICC Court, Pierre Tercier, said: "This important step will be a milestone in the development of ICC Dispute Resolution Services. It will increase our presence in Asia and demonstrate once more the international character of the institution."

ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban said: "We are very pleased to announce this key decision that reflects one of the main conclusions of a strategic survey conducted by ICC in 2007, namely to recognize the growing importance of Asia as one part of the world where ICC should have a greater presence and increased visibility."