XN000022-1975-10-31 — Page 6

5

-

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1975

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT INTRODUCED

TO SPEED UP TRANSHIPMENT CARGO THROUGH HONG KONG

******

THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS CUTTING RED TAPE TO ENABLE TRANSHIPMENT CARGO TO PASS THROUGH HONG KONG AT A FASER PACE.

THE MOVE IS IN KEEPING WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S POLICY OF REDUCING, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, TRADE FORMALITIES TO A MINIMUM A POLICY WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO HONG KONG'S TRADE SUCCESS.

AS IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO AMEND THE PRESENT LAW, THE DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED A SPECIAL INTERIM ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY AN EXPORTER MAY TAKE OUT ONE LICENCE, CALLED AN +EXPORT LICENCE FOR TRANSHIPMENT CARGO, TO SHIP AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF CONSIGNMENTS FOR AS LONG AS THE LICENCE IS VAL 17) THREE MONTHS.

NORMALLY

THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENT APPLIES INITIALLY TO THREE MAJOR EXPORT ITEMS : TEXTILES, PROCESSED AND MANUFACTURED FOODSTUFFS AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS WHICH ARE POWERED BY MAINS SUPPLY.

A DC AND I SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS THE DEPARTMENT'S INTENTION TO DO AWAY ULTIMATELY WITH ALL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSHIPMENT CARGO, +BUT THE LAW NEEDS FIRST TO BE AMENDED WHICH IS WHY AN INTERIM ARRANGEMENT HAS TO BE ADOPTED,+ HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WERE SOME ITEMS WHICH COULD NOT BE LIBERALISED FOR HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY REASONS.

THE LICENCE IS AVAILABLE TO SHIPPING AND AIRLINE COMPANIES OR THEIR AGENTS, BUT THE SPOKESMAN URGED APPLICANTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE REGULATION WHICH STATES THAT CARG) FOR TRANSHIPMENT MUST REMAIN IN THE PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF THE LICENSEE AND MUST NOT BE SUBSTITUTED WHILE IN HONG KONG.

SHIPPERS WHO MAY HAVE QUERIES ON THE SUBJECT ARE ASKED TO CONTACT EITHER MR. H.Y. LI OR MR. C.K. LEUNG ON 5-432049 ABOUT TEXTILES OR MISS GRACE KUAN ON 5-228449 ABOUT PROCESSED AND MANUFACTURED FOOD TUFFS, AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS POWERED BY MAINS SUPPLY.

}

t

16

E