INDUSTRY AND TRADE
Administration
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The Commerce and Industry Department's responsibilities include the conduct of overseas commercial relations, industrial development and investment promotion, origin certification, trade controls and the collection and protection of revenue from dutiable commodities. Its work is complemented by several autonomous institutions either wholly or partly financed by public funds, whose functions and activities are outlined in subsequent sections.
On matters of policy affecting trade and industry other than textiles, the Director of Commerce and Industry takes advice from the Trade and Industry Advisory Board of which he is chairman. This body of senior unofficial representatives of sectors including, commerce, industry, banking and insurance, is nominated by the Governor, and meets once a month. The Textiles Advisory Board, a more specialised board, also chaired by the Director, is consulted on matters affecting the textiles industry. It met on seven occasions during 1973. Both these boards are served by specialist committees as the need arises.
The Director of Commerce and Industry is also Commissioner of the Preventive Service. He is assisted by two deputy directors, one of whom is also the Deputy Commissioner of the Preventive Service, and five assistant directors, one of whom is the Assistant Commissioner of the Preventive Service. There are five divisions: administration, industry, and Preventive Service and dutiable commodities divisions, and two commercial relations divisions. The department has three overseas offices, in Brussels, Geneva and Washington, and it also has representation in the Hong Kong Government Office in London.
The administration division serves the organisation and management needs of the department, as well as being responsible for the operation of licensing control arrangements relating to certain categories of imports and exports, notably reserved commodities, including rice. It issues documents under the UNCTAD Generalised Preference Scheme, and is responsible for policy and procedures arising from cer- tification of origin and Commonwealth preference.
The commercial relation divisions collect and disseminate information on trade policy measures taken by other countries which may affect Hong Kong, and keep abreast of the activities of international organisations. These divisions are also responsible for conducting Hong Kong's trade negotiations with other governments and for implementing the agreements reached. This includes calculations and allocations under textile export control procedures. The overseas offices are almost entirely concerned with commercial relations work and provide current information on international matters which may affect Hong Kong.
The industry division provides liaison between industry and other government departments, promotes overseas investment in local industry, and deals with specific industrial problems. It also operates a trade investigation service, which undertakes the regular inspection of factories and goods in connection with certification and licensing controls and conducts the prosecution of those suspected of contravening the relevant regulations. The division also handles trade complaints.