SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

The Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) was established in September 1975 according to the Industry Training (Clothing Industry) Ordinance. The functions of the Authority as defined in Section 5 of the Ordinance are:

		To provide training courses for the clothing industry
		To establish and maintain industrial training centers
		To assist in the placement of persons completing training courses
		To make recommendations with respect to the rate of levy

With the changing times and the improvement of computers and technology, CITA has evolved its operations to focus more Technology and Innovation. In order to face the challenges of the new millennium, we are training the apparel industry's most important asset - People, and how to apply the Technology in this industry.

Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) will become home to the Design, Fashion & Textiles, and Printing & Digital Media departments of I.V.E. creating the first professional institute dedicated to Foundation Design Education in Hong Kong. The vision of HKDI is "to be a leading design institute providing quality design education to cultivate knowledge, professionalism and new talents for the evolving global creative industries."

The Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association (HKFDA) was founded in 1984 by a group of successful and enthusiastic local fashion designers. As a non-profit making and self-financed organization, it aims to unite fashion designers, with both professionalism and expertise, to develop and better both their careers and the industry within and beyond the territory.

The HKFDA is now one of the leading fashion institutions in Hong Kong and is recognized as such throughout the community. Renowned both in the local and overseas industries, many of our successful and talented members have become a strong force in building and developing the fashion design industry. Their talented and professional works include designers' collections, brand collections, brand buildings, brand and professional image consultancies, and so on.

Hong Kong Institute of Textile and Apparel (HKITA) was established by some ardent and interest people on 10th August 1993. Its vision is to maintain and improve the acadamic and professional standards of its members, so as to improve the competitiveness of the industry and to prosper the economy of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC)'s mission is to promote productivity excellence through the provision of integrated support across the value chain of Hong Kong firms, in order to achieve a more effective utilization of resources, to enhance the value-added content of products and services, and to increase international competitiveness.

The International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology is a specialized journal for all those involved with clothing; whether in fabric, design, production, machinery, management or retailing. It ranked by Thomson Scientific and is a refereed publication, enjoying the highest standard of editorial professionals, reviewers and authors. IJCST is not just a journal, it is seen as a means of putting the international community of researchers and industry in touch with one another.

Textile Council of Hong Kong Ltd (TCHK) as a body representing all major textile associations, acts as a voice for the textile industry on matters that affect the industry. Such matters mainly concern with commercial policies affecting Hong Kong's textiles exports such as quotas and anti- dumping actions, Hong Kong's textile export controls system, the employment ordinance, environmental rules and regulations, taxation and tariff etc. It also undertakes by itself or jointly with other organizations study missions, projects, seminars and other activities.

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) was established in April 2006. To enhance Hong Kong "cutting edge", we have the funding support from Innovation & Technology Commission, HKSAR Government. HKRITA is also supported by institutes, companies and associations in the textile and clothing industry in Hong Kong, mainland China and other countries.

The Textiles and Clothing Alumni Association of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPUTCAA) aims to achieve its objectives including:

		keeping members informed of advances in the science and technology and production and marketing of textiles and clothing via lectures meetings, etc.;
		providing links among commercial, industrial, educational and research sectors in various aspects of the textile and clothing industry;
		promoting and co-ordinating academic and social activities;
		encouraging cooperation among its members and those of other Alumni Associations of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and
		encouraging members to integrate better with society at large.