TRADE AND INDUSTRY
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licensing, the computerisation of the department's licensing systems, the import and export licensing of commodities other than textiles, the rice control scheme, and common services.
The department is assisted in its work on commercial relations by 10 overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices. All overseas offices are under the administration of the Trade and Industry Branch.
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices
These offices seek to promote Hong Kong's economic and trade interests by enhancing understanding of the territory among opinion-formers; closely monitoring developments that might affect the territory's economic and trading interests, such as proposed legislation; and liaising closely with the business and commercial sectors, politicians and the media. They also have a role in promoting Hong Kong's image
overseas.
The Geneva Office represents Hong Kong as a Member of the WTO. It also represents Hong Kong as an observer on the Trade Committee of the OECD in Paris, and is responsible for commercial relations with Switzerland.
The Brussels Office represents Hong Kong's economic and trade interests to the European Commission and, through it, to the member states of the EU. It is also responsible for Hong Kong's economic and trade relations with some other European countries and for encouraging investment from Europe.
The London Office promotes Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in the United Kingdom. It also promotes inward investment in Finland, Norway and Sweden, monitors parliamentary activities of interest to Hong Kong and houses the territory's representative to the International Maritime Organisation.
The offices in Toronto, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney closely monitor economic and trade developments, proposed legislation and other matters in their host. countries which may affect Hong Kong's trade and economic interests.
Offices in Washington, DC, New York and San Francisco are responsible for looking after Hong Kong's economic, commercial and public relations interests in the USA, Hong Kong's largest market and a significant source of industrial and commercial investment in the territory.
Participation in International Organisations
As an integral part of the Asia-Pacific economy and an important regional services centre, Hong Kong has a role to play and a contribution to make in regional economic co-operation. The territory's economic links with the region continued to be significant. In 1996, some 80.1 per cent of Hong Kong's total external trade was conducted with the other 17 member economies of APEC.
During the year, Hong Kong was active in the work of APEC. Policy secretaries of relevant branches attended APEC ministerial meetings on Human Resources Development, Finance, Sustainable Development, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises, Telecommunications and Information Industry, and Regional Science and Technology Cooperation. The Financial Secretary represented Hong Kong at the APEC Economic Leaders, Meeting held in Subic, the Philippines, in November.