香港潮州商會史略
潮州地濱南海，與香港相距非遙，兩地水陸交通往返向稱便捷。十九世紀中葉，潮人為尋求發展機會，紛紛來港謀生，而能力稍佳者以從事經商者為多。邑人素以克勤克儉著稱，兼以頭腦靈活，信實可靠，其中不乏生財有道，脫穎而出者，為潮商在香港奠下穩固之基礎。二十世紀初，華人社會中以鄉誼、族誼結為社團者蔚然成風，吾邑旅港先賢方養秋、蔡杰士、陳殿臣、鄭仲評、王少平諸先生，乃於1906年倡議籌辦商會，以團結鄉親，守望相助為目的。鑒於潮商早於1871年已成立「聚和堂」之商業團體，幾經折衷，卒抵於成，於1921年夏召開首屆會員大會，通過章程，定名為「旅港潮州八邑商會」。
商會成立後，會務迅速發展，規模日具，眾口交相讚譽，為當時華人社團中之表表者。1937年，抗日戰爭全面爆發，我會基於民族大義，積極投入抗日救國工作，或轉運物資，或拯救災民，倡商人救國之旗幟，貢獻尤著。1945年，香港光復，百廢待興，本會元老馬澤民先生等目睹時艱，遂應會眾要求，號召重整會務，因感「潮州八邑」之名已不合時宜，乃決議易名為「香港潮州商會」，沿用至今。
1960年代，隨著香港經濟之轉型、起飛，潮商所經營之行當日益廣泛，在金融、地產、製衣、玩具及其它工商百業皆有突飛猛進之發展。同時，在政壇及文化領域亦人才鼎盛，居要津而具影響力者，屈指不可勝數。彼等對香港之卓越貢獻，深受各方之認同、尊重。我會既擁有如此龐大之精英會員，而又能透過會務活動服務社會，其聲譽之日隆，影響之日大，則可不言而喻矣。
1980年代以來，全球一體化之概念漸成現代化國際發展之主要趨勢。本會有見及此，乃思我邑人散居海外者遍五大洲，人數不下千萬，倘能推舉代表，組成一國際性之組織，定期交流，輪番為東道主，則不僅可敦睦鄉誼，創造國際商機，更可以承傳潮汕文化，甚且對不同文化之交流、融匯，亦將會帶來極大的裨益。此一劃時代之構思，在我會同仁之精心籌劃、穿梭協調下終於實現。1981年「國際潮團聯誼年會」正式成立，並由我會主辦首屆年會，由此我會展開了新的一頁。
本會為了全方位促進會員參與社會事務，先後在1992年及2012年增設青年委員會、婦女委員會、公民事務委員會及文化事務委員會，以積極配合時代的新發展、新趨勢。在政府政經政策及措施方面，我會亦屢有建言，多能切中時弊，提出可行之具體改善方案，往往獲得社會輿論之重視與當局之認同。至於教育方面，我會一向重視興學育才，年來不斷提供資源，在各大專院校及屬下學校設立獎助學金，以貫徹優質教育及協助家境清寒之學生完成學業。
我會歷屆會長、會董皆是社會之精英賢達。本會同仁除了推動會務外，對本港社會福利、慈善公益事業亦鼎力支持、參與，出錢出力，不甘後人，實堪稱社會之典範。本會以團結鄉親、促進工商、共建繁榮穩定香港為目標。
Chiu Chow is situated on the coast of South China Sea, and is not far from Hong Kong. In 1906, Chiu Chow clan elites residing in Hong Kong, namely, Fong Yeung-chau, Choi Kit-sze, Chan Tin-san, Chang Chung-ping and Wong Siu-ping, proposed to establish a Chiu Chow chamber of commerce for the well-being of Chiu Chow people. After thorough discussions and planning, a preparatory meeting was convened in the summer of 1921 to raise funds, pass the statutes, and “旅港潮州八邑商會” was subsequently founded.
After World War II in 1945, Mr. Ma Ze-min, the Chamber”s pioneer, restored the Chamber upon the request of its members. To keep pace with the fast changing social trends, its Chinese name was officially changed to “香港潮州商會” (Hong Kong Chiu Chow Chamber of Commerce).
Along with the economic take off of Hong Kong in the 60”s, our people shared in the remarkable success in financial, real estate, industrial and commercial sectors, not to mention the prominent figures in both political and cultural fields highly esteemed by the public for their outstanding services and contributions to the society.
As the Chamber assembles Hong Kong’s most outstanding Chiu Chow leaders from political, economical and cultural circles, its reputation and influence grow day by day. Chiu Chow people make up about one fifth of all overseas Chinese. In 1981, at the 8th Teochew International Convention, we resolved to foster both friendship and trade internationally. We are committed to exert our best effort for this noble ideal.
The Chamber has been expanded for its unaltered commitment of building a prosperous and harmonious Hong Kong. In 1992, during Mr. Sebastian Lau Ki-chit’s presidency, the “Young Executives Committee” was set up. In 2012, President Dr. Stephen Chow Chun-kay established the “Women Committee”, the “Civil Affairs Committee” and the “Cultural Affairs Committee” for the enhancement of the Chamber”s development. We constantly offer constructive advices to improve the political-economic system, which have been highly valued by our clansmen and the general public.
The Chamber has attached great importance to the cultivation of talents by establishing various schools. The Chamber also provides scholarship for students with good conduct and academic excellence, up to university level, to overcome their financial difficulties and continue their studies.
The Presidents and Directors of the Chamber have been active in charitable and social welfare. Apart from attending to the Chamber’s affairs, its members also take up predominant voluntary work in various renowned charitable institutions. The Chamber is committed to upholding the society”s prosperity and stability. We strive for the betterment of Hong Kong.
