INDUSTRY AND TRADE
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In September 1992, the Australian authorities initiated an anti-dumping proceeding against Hong Kong companies in respect of disposable plastic cutlery. The Australian authorities completed the investigation in July 1993 and decided not to impose anti- dumping duties against the territory, as there was no evidence that exports from Hong Kong had resulted in material injury to their local industry.
In March 1993, the South Korean authorities initiated another anti-dumping inves- tigation against Hong Kong companies in respect of sodium carbonate originating from China and re-exported from Hong Kong. Final anti-dumping duties on the goods in question were imposed for a period of three years with effect from December 31.
In November 1993, the Australian authorities initiated an anti-dumping inquiry against Hong Kong companies in respect of clear float glass. The case is under investigation.
Trade Department
The Trade Department is responsible for Hong Kong's commercial relations with foreign governments. It implements trade policy and agreements, and conducts import and export licensing and origin certification. On matters of policy affecting trade, the Director-General of Trade takes advice from the Trade Advisory Board and the Textiles Advisory Board, both of which are appointed by the Governor and chaired by the Secretary for Trade and Industry.
The department consists of five divisions, three of which deal with bilateral commercial relations with Hong Kong's trading partners in different geographical areas. Their work includes the conduct of trade negotiations and the implementation of textiles agreements, as well as the collection and dissemination of information on developments which may affect Hong Kong's external trade, especially those relating to trade policies and measures adopted in its major markets. One of these divisions has, in addition, responsibility for regional economic co-operation, and also the computerisation of the department's licensing systems and the introduction of electronic data interchange. The fourth division deals with the multilateral aspects of Hong Kong's external commercial relations, such as its participation in the GATT and in the MFA. The fifth division is responsible for the textiles export control system, common services, origin certification, the import and export licensing of commodities other than textiles, and the rice control scheme.
The department's work is assisted by eight overseas Hong Kong Government offices administered by the Trade and Industry Branch.
Hong Kong Representation Overseas
The Trade and Industry Branch oversees Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Geneva, Brussels, Washington, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Tokyo, mainly to safeguard and advance Hong Kong's economic and commercial interests overseas. The Hong Kong Government Office in London also promotes the territory's economy. (Address details are at Appendix 6.)
The Geneva Office represents Hong Kong as a contracting party to the GATT. The office participates in the regular activities of the GATT, as well as in the ongoing multilateral trade negotiations, generally known as the Uruguay Round, which were launched in September 1986. It is also responsible for Hong Kong's commercial relations with Switzerland.