INDUSTRY AND TRADE
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issuing bodies approved for this purpose-the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Indian Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong. During the year, exports of goods under Standard Certificates of Hong Kong Origin issued by the Commerce and Industry Department were valued at $1,954.6 million.
The department also issues certificates to enable Hong Kong products to claim preferential rates of duty on entry into Britain and a number of other Commonwealth territories which grant preference to Hong Kong. Commonwealth preference certificates are issued against, either legal undertakings by manufacturers to use Commonwealth raw materials, or detailed cost statements for each type of product, prepared by public accountants approved for the purpose. Exports covered by Commonwealth preference certificates were valued at $1,417.4 million.
United States law prohibits the importation of certain classes of goods presumed to originate from the People's Republic of China, North Korea or North Vietnam, unless evidence is produced to the contrary. As Hong Kong manufacturers produce many goods in these categories, the department issues comprehensive certificates of origin under special certification procedures agreed with the United States authorities. During the year, goods valued at $1,308.6 million were exported to the United States and its dependencies under Comprehensive Certificates of Origin. The total value of Hong Kong products certified under departmental certification procedures in 1968 was $4,680.6 million, representing over 55.5 per cent of total exports of locally manufactured products.
ADMINISTRATION
The Commerce and Industry Department's responsibilities in- clude overseas commercial relations, industrial development, certifica- tion and trade controls.
There are two Commercial Relations Divisions, one concerned with Europe and the other with the international bodies, such as GATT, UNCTAD and ECAFE, and with the rest of the world. These divisions collect and disseminate information on trade policy measures by other countries which may affect Hong Kong