THE Trade Department is reassessing its resources for its lobby for renewal of China's Most Favoured Nation (MFN) trade status next year. Deputy director-general Kevin Ho said it would increase the budget if necessary, but he refused to reveal the amount. On the warning from US Secretary of State Warren Christopher that MFN might end unless China gave some satisfaction over the human rights, arms proliferation and trade issues, he said it was still eight months before the US Congress considered the issue. Speaking at the opening of a footwear and leather goods fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Mr Ho said re-export trade between China and Hong Kong had an important role in compensating for the territory's declining exports. Re-exports of leather goods rose 47 per cent to $13.4 billion in the first seven months of this year, while footwear re-exports from China reached $22.1 billion, and also covered 61 per cent of the US retail market. Patrick Tang Kim Kwan, president of the Hong Kong Rubber and Footwear Manufacturers' Association, said the group would raise money to lobby for MFN renewal in the US.