INDUSTRY AND TRADE
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During the year, representatives of the committee attended a series of international trade facilitation meetings. These provided opportunities for Hong Kong to learn from and exchange views with the national and international trade facilitation bodies that are in the forefront in research and development of modern methods and tech- niques in the handling of trade documentation and trade procedural matters.
Commerce and Industry Department
The responsibilities of the Commerce and Industry Department include the conduct of overseas commercial relations, industrial development and investment 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 15 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 34 occasions during 1976. 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 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.