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Commerce and Industry
In 2013, the Customs and Excise Department investigated 117 cases of unlicensed import and export of strategic commodities and prosecuted 49 companies and two offenders, resulting in fines of $2.95 million, Goods valued at $0.27 million were confiscated.
Customs Co-operation
The Customs and Excise Department plays an active role in the work of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and APEC's Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures. The department maintains close liaison with the WCO and three officers have been seconded to the WCO Compliance and Facilitation Directorate in Brussels, Belgium, the WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific in Seoul, Korea, and the WCO Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building in Bangkok, Thailand, to assist in taking forward the WCO's initiatives.
Since the launch of the Hong Kong Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme in 2012, a number of local companies that satisfy pre-determined security standards have been accredited by the department as AEOs and can enjoy customs facilitation such as less inspection and prioritised clearance. In 2013, the department signed two AEO mutual recognition arrangements (MRA) with the Mainland Customs and Indian Customs, thereby enabling Hong Kong AEOs to enjoy corresponding customs facilitation in the Mainland and India. Bilateral MRA discussions with other customs administrations of Hong Kong's principal trading partners are under way.
The department co-operates with other customs administrations and law enforcement agencies and regular bilateral meetings are held with the Mainland and other customs. authorities to exchange intelligence and experience on enforcement. The department has also concluded bilateral co-operation arrangements with a number of customs administrations.
Inward Investment Promotion
In 2013, despite the challenges of the global economic downturn, Invest Hong Kong assisted a record 337 overseas, Mainland and Taiwan companies in setting up or expanding operations in Hong Kong involving direct investment of some $12.5 billion and the creation of about 2,900 new jobs within the first year of their operation/expansion3.
Invest Hong Kong organised or sponsored a range of activities in 2013, including the Asian Financial Forum, Art Basel, 'Think Global, Think Hong Kong' promotion in New York and Los Angeles, Private Equity and Venture Forum, Super Return Asia, and the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia Convention. In addition, Invest Hong Kong organised joint investment promotions with Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Zhaoquing and Macao in the Pearl River Delta Region and in Auckland, Berlin and Taipei to promote the advantages offered by the economic integration of Hong Kong and the Mainland.
Invest Hong Kong has also organised a series of promotional programmes in high-growth Mainland cities including Changchun, Dalian, Harbin, Changsha, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Haikou,
3 These represent investment amount and job opportunities reported by the companies assisted by Invest Hong Kong.
Not all of these companies disclosed the data.
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