INDUSTRY AND TRADE
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promotion, certification of origin, trade controls, and the collection and protection of revenue from dutiable commodities. Its work is complemented by several auton- omous institutions either wholly or partly financed by public funds.
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. It comprises senior unofficial representatives of various sectors including commerce, industry, banking and insurance. The board is nominated by the Governor and usually meets once a month. The Textiles Advisory Board is a more specialised body which is also chaired by the Director and is consulted on matters affecting the textiles industry. It met on 42 occasions during 1975. Both these boards are served by specialist committees as the need arises.
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The Director of Commerce and Industry is also Commissioner of the Preventive Service. He is assisted in Hong Kong by two deputy directors, one of whom is also the Deputy Commissioner of the Preventive Service. There are seven assistant directors, one of whom is the Assistant Commissioner of the Preventive Service. These assistant directors head the seven divisions of the department: commercial relations (two divisions), industry, trade, textile controls, administration, and the Preventive Service. The department has three overseas offices in Brussels, Geneva and Washington—and it is also represented in the Hong Kong Government Office in London.
The commercial relations divisions collect and disseminate information on trade policy measures taken by other countries which may affect Hong Kong, and also keep abreast of the activities of international organisations. These divisions conduct Hong Kong's trade negotiations with other governments. The textile controls division is responsible for implementing agreements reached. This involves the calculation and allocation of quotas, and associated 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 undertakes factory visits and advises on industrial infrastruc- ture, special industrial projects and matters concerning industrial land.
The trade division is responsible for certification and documentation procedures, including an import and export licensing system for commodities other than textiles. It operates a trade investigation service which undertakes the regular inspection of factories and goods in connection with certification and licensing controls, and pros- ecutes those suspected of contravening the relevant regulations. The division is also responsible for handling trade complaints and the control of reserved commodities, of which rice is the most important.
A rice control scheme has been in operation since 1955. The object of the scheme is to ensure regular and adequate supplies of rice to consumers at reasonable prices. A reserve stock is maintained to safeguard supplies to the public.