TRADE AND INDUSTRY
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Clothing Bureau on all matters relating to the implementation of the ATC and co- operates with them on issues of common interest.
Non-textiles Issues
In response to the EU's initiation of a 'sunset' review concerning the anti-dumping measures on Hong Kong's video cassette tapes in September 1994, Hong Kong made a representation to the European Commission in February 1995 to rebut allegations made by the EU's industry to justify continuation of the anti-dumping measures.
In June 1994, the Australian authorities initiated an anti-dumping inquiry against Hong Kong companies in respect of disposable plastic cutlery. The inquiry, which was terminated in February 1995, concluded that imports from Hong Kong did not cause any injury to the Australian industry, and no anti-dumping action was applied.
During the first half of the year, the Hong Kong Government and the private sector continued to emphasise to the USA administration and members of Congress the adverse effects on Hong Kong's economy if Washington were to withdraw China's Most Favoured Nation (MFN) trading status, or to impose conditions on the renewal of the status. On June 2, President Bill Clinton announced his decision to renew China's MFN trading status unconditionally for another year. The decision removed uncertainty over Sino-USA trade relations, and has let Hong Kong businessmen plan and conduct their operations accordingly. As China and the USA are Hong Kong's two largest trading partners, good relations between them are of vital importance to Hong Kong as a trading, financial and investment centre.
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.
The department consists of five divisions. The Multilateral Division deals with the multilateral aspects of Hong Kong's external commercial relations, such as its participation in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Regional Co-operation Division takes care of activities related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum (APEC), the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council (PECC) and commercial relations with Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
The Americas Division and the Europe, Africa and Middle East Division deal with bilateral commercial relations with Hong Kong's trading partners in their respective geographical areas. Such 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. The Americas Division has, in addition, responsibility for work related to trade- related discussions in the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), while the Europe, Africa and Middle East Division is also responsible for origin certification.
The fifth division is the Systems Division, which is responsible for the textiles export control system, the Textiles Trader Registration Scheme, non-restrained textile licensing, the computerisation of the department's licensing systems, the import