XN000022-1974-11-13 — Page 32

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1974

MINIMUM OF RED TAPE PARTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG'S TRADE SUCCESS, SAYS DIRECTOR

OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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ONE OF THE FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG'S SUCCESS IN THE FIELD OF TRADE IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT TRIES TO KEEP RED TAPE TO A MINIMUM, THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. DAVID JORDAN SAID TODAY.

MR. JORDAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG FAR EAST TRADE FACILITATION SEMINAR THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO

BE HELD HERE.

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THE PURPOSE OF THE SEMINAR IS TO DISCUSS WAYS OF FURTHER STREAMLINING INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION TO KEEP ABREAST OF MODERN MODES OF FAST TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION.

MR. JORDAN SAID HONG KONG WAS AN APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR THE SEMINAR BECAUSE THE ECONOMY WAS UNIQUELY DEPENDENT ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

DELEGATES FROM MANY COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS ARE ATTENDING THE TWO-DAY EVENT. THESE INCLUDE THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, BRITAIN, JAPAN, THE PHILIPPINES, FRANCE, THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE (ECE), THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC ESCAP), THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC) AND THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME COMMITTEE (CMI).

MR.

JORDAN SAID HIS DEPARTMENT DOES ITS UTMOST TO ENSURE THAT TRADE FORMALITIES CAN BE OBSERVED WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF BOTHER TO THE TRADE, AND POINTED OUT THAT CERTIFICATES AND LICENCES, WHEN REQUIRED, COULD NORMALLY BE OBTAINED WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS AFTER APPLICATION.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TRADE FACILITATION MOVEMENT IN HONG KONG BEGAN IN 1967 WHEN A WORKING PARTY ON SIMPLIER TRADE DOCUMENTS WAS ESTABLISHED.

THIS WAS RECONSTITUTED LAST YEAR AS THE HONG KONG TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEE WHICH IS SERVICED BY THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.

THE COMMITTEE'S MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE MAJOR TRADE, INDUSTRIAL, TRANSPORT, BANKING AND OTHER SERVICE INSTITUTIONS.

HE SAID CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN THE FIELD OF SIMPLICATION AND STANDARDISATION OF TRADE DOCUMENTS AND PROCEDURES.

MR. JORDAN