122 Commerce and Industry
retail, and food business sectors, were completed or initiated, and about 80 recommendations for improvements were completed.
In February 2007, the Government launched the 'Be the Smart Regulator' Programme to further improve Hong Kong's business licensing processes and business. environment. The programme aims to enhance the efficiency, transparency and customer-friendliness of licensing services provided by
provided by bureaux/departments concerned and to reduce compliance cost on business.
The Business Facilitation Division of the Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit under the Financial Secretary's Office coordinates and takes forward the Government's business facilitation efforts. The division also provides secretariat and other executive support to the BFAC and its task forces.
Trade Documentation
As a free port, the HKSAR maintains optimal import and export documentation requirements to facilitate legitimate trade. Most products do not need licences to enter or leave Hong Kong. Licences or notifications are only required if the HKSAR needs to fulfil its international obligations, protect public health, safety, environment, or intellectual property rights, or ensure Hong Kong's unrestricted access to high technologies and hi-tech products.
The HKSAR also maintains a certification of origin system to facilitate its exports to overseas markets.
Government Electronic Trading Services
To maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international trading centre, the Government launched the Government Electronic Trading Services in 1997 to provide a platform for the trading community to submit certain trade related documents electronically, thereby discharging their statutory obligations in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. The volume of electronic submissions has steadily. increased from 16.1 million in 2000 to 22.4 million in 2007.
The Government is planning to introduce improvements to the services for implementation after 2009. These include enhancements to traders' input efforts through inheritance of data among the relevant trade-related documents, improving the openness and interoperability of the information technology infrastructure, and strengthening the regulatory framework.
Hong Kong Awards for Industries
The Hong Kong Awards for Industries promotes and honours the pursuit of excellence by enterprises in both the industrial and services sectors. It comprises seven award categories, namely consumer product design, machinery and equipment design, customer service, environmental performance, innovation and creativity, productivity and quality, and technological achievement.