INDUSTRY AND TRADE
79
certification, a matter particularly important in relation to the imperial preference granted by other Colonial territories for imports from Hong Kong. A number of rulings clearing up points on costings for Certificates of Origin purposes were transmitted to the accountants approved for preparation of imperial preference certificates which are later counter-signed by the department. The inspection staff was augmented and a great number of spot checks were carried out with the object of checking costings and consignments ready for ship- ment. There was one successful prosecution for uttering a forged certificate. These measures were designed to maintain the credit of Government certificates of origin with overseas customs authorities. The Department continued to co-operate closely with these authorities, and its staff had the advantage in 1956 of discussing procedures on the spot with representa- tives of the Malayan and North Borneo Customs administra- tions.
An additional complex of certification procedures arises. from the necessity to preserve Hong Kong's trade with the United States in the face of the Foreign Assets Control Regulations, which prohibit the import of a range of prod- ucts, presumed to originate in mainland China unless evidence is advanced to the contrary. Procedures operated by the Department and designed to produce such evidence were somewhat expanded in 1956; exports of 'presumptive' commodities amounted to nearly $65 million; there was a 44% increase in the number of comprehensive certificates issued as compared with 1955.
TRADE CONTROL
During the year import controls were maintained on a quantitative basis over highly strategic materials, but with an easing of restrictions over a large number of minor strategic items to permit importers to hold larger stocks. Export controls over strategic items also remained un- changed, except that reasonable shipments of particular items