COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
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round of comprehensive services negotiations was launched in early 2000. Given the importance of the services trade to the economy, the HKSAR will continue to participate actively and constructively in the negotiations. To formulate HKSAR's objectives in the negotiations, consultation with the trade will be conducted, having regard to the progress of negotiations.
Electronic commerce is an increasingly important issue and has been widely discussed in the international trade arena, including the WTO. The HKSAR participates in the discussions on the subject with a view to contributing to the development of this new form of trade and keeping abreast of the global trend.
Since the Mainland and the USA are Hong Kong's two largest trading partners, Hong Kong stands to benefit from a stable trading relationship between the two countries. In this regard, although the US Congress passed and the then US President signed the legislation granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to China in 2000, the legislation will come into effect only after China has become a member of the WTO, and only after the US President has certified that the terms and conditions for China's accession to the WTO are at least equivalent to those agreed between the USA and China in November 1999.
Pending the completion of the multilateral process for China's accession to the WTO, it is possible that the US Congress will again have a debate on the renewal of China's Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status in 2001. If that were to happen, Hong Kong would, as in past years, again argue for unconditional renewal of China's NTR
status.
The European Union excluded high capacity microdisks from the scope of anti-dumping measures on 3.5-inch microdisks originating in Hong Kong with retrospective effect from December 17, 1998. It also terminated the anti-dumping proceedings against hairbrushes originating in Hong Kong on May 10, 2000.
Trade and Industry Department
The Trade and Industry Department is responsible for handling the HKSAR's commercial relations with trading partners, implementing trade policies and agreements, including the issue of certification of origin and export and import licences, as well as supporting the industrial sector and the development of small and medium enterprises.
The department has seven divisions. The Multilateral Division deals with the multilateral aspects of Hong Kong's external commercial relations, such as its participation in the WTO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Regional Cooperation Division co-ordinates Hong Kong's participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) and is also responsible for multilateral matters relating to market access and government procurement.
The Americas Division, the Asia Division (which covers the Mainland) and the Europe Division deal with bilateral commercial relations with the HKSAR's trading partners in their respective geographical areas. Their work includes the conduct of trade negotiations as well as the collection and dissemination of information on developments that may affect the HKSAR's external trade, especially those relating to trade policies and measures adopted in its major markets. In addition, the Americas Division is also in charge of Hong Kong's strategic trade control system.