XN000022-1984-02-26 — Page 4

NOTE TO EDITORS:

1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1984

AMBASSADOR EVANS LEAVING HK ****

A FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN TO COVER THE DEPARTURE OF THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO PEKING, SIR RICHARD EVANS, TOMORROW (MONDAY).

SIR RICHARD WILL BE LEAVING ON FLIGHT CA 102, ETD 12.45 PM.

THOSE ASSIGNED TO COVER THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM NOT LATER THAN 11.30 AM ON MONDAY, GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.

NEW SYSTEM FOR FACTORY REGISTRATIONS

*****

THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FEBRUARY 26) ANNOUNCED THAT ALL FACTORIES REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES WILL HAVE TO RENEW THE IR REGISTRATION ANNUALLY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE SYSTEM, TO BE INTRODUCED IN PHASES OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, WOULD HELP THE DEPARTMENT UPDATE RECORDS ON ALL REGISTERED FACTORIES.

THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FACTORIES MUST REGISTER WITH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN,

ON THE REGISTRATION RECORD, THE FACTORY OWNER HAS TO DECLARE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, INCLUDING THE ADDRESS, OWNERSHIP, EQUIPMENT INSTALLED, THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND ITS PRODUCTS.

AFTER REGISTRATION, OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL INSPECT THE FACTORY PERIODICALLY TO CHECK THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION.

AT PRESENT, MORE THAN 20 000 FACTORIES HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.

+ALTHOUGH THEY ARE OBLIGED TO REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT IN CASE OF CHANGES IN RESPECT OF REGISTRATION PARTICULARS, YET MANY OF THEM DO NOT COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT. SOME FACTORIES EVEN DO NOT INFORM THE DEPARTMENT AFTER THEY HAVE MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS OR HAVE CEASED OPERATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, EACH REGISTERED FACTORY WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE A QUESTIONNAIRE EVERY YEAR TO DECLARE WHETHER IT WISHES TO REMAIN REGISTERED, IF SO, IT IS REQUIRED TO DECLARE ANY CHANGES IN PARTICULARS SINCE THE LAST REGISTRATION.

/+IF THE