MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1981
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MISSION TO STUDY H.K. TRADE PRACTICES
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A THREE-MEMBER DELEGATION, LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SIMPLIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROCEDURES BOARD (SITPRO), SIR GORDON BOOTH, WILL ARRIVE HERE ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 4) FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT.
DURING HIS STAY IN HONG KONG, SIR CORDON WILL CONTACT THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE TRADE PRACTICES IN HONG KONG, AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON TRADE FACILITATION.
IN PARTICULAR, HE WILL REVIEW AREAS OF COOPERATION AND MUTUAL INTEREST BETWEEN SITPRO AND THE HONG KONG TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE.
SITPRO WAS SET UP IN 1979 TO +GUIDE, STIMULATE AND ASSIST THE RATIONALISATION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION AND THE INFORMATION FLOWS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.+
IT IS ONE OF THE LEADING FACILITATION BODIES IN THE WORLD AND A MAJOR VOICE IN INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSIONS ON EXPORT PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION. ITS MEMBERSHIP IS DRAWN FROM A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS, INCLUDING SHIPPERS, CARRIERS, FORWARDERS, BANKERS, INSURERS AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES.
SIR GORDON, BEFORE HIS RECENT MOVE TO THE BUSINESS SECTOR, HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE AND WAS AN ACKNOWLEDGED EXPERT IN TRADE PROMOTION.
MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS THE BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL IN NEW YORK AND DIRECTOR GENERAL OF BRITISH TRADE DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.
HE ALSO HAS EXTENSIVE EXPORT PROMOTION EXPERIENCE IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES. HE WORKED IN GATT AND EUROPEAN TRADE COMMITTEES, AND WAS A DIRECTOR OF EXPORT HOUSE, WHERE HE WAS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH TRADERS, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.
SIR GORDON IS NOW ASSOCIATED WITH A NUMBER OF BUSINESS PROJECTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES, ARABIAN GULF AND ELSEWHERE.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ARE MR DON TRAFFORD, DIRECTOR OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING AND MR CHARLES FREEBURY, DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION,
TOGETHER WITH SIR GORDON, THEY WILL VISIT A NUMBER OF TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND SELECTIVE GROUPS OF COMPANIES IN HONG KONG INCLUDING JARDINE MATHESON AND CO. LTD., INCHCAPE (F.E.) LTD. AND SWIRE SHIPPING (AGENCIES) LTD. TO DISCUSS CHINA TRADE. AFTER THEIR VISIT HERE, THEY WILL PROCEED TO CHINA, WHERE THEY WILL HOLD DISCUSSIONS ON TRADE FACILITATION MATTERS.
THEY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FAR EAST/ PACIFIC TRADE FACILITATION CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 18 AND 19.
ENQUIRIES ON THIS CONFERENCE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE THROUGH THE TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT.