XN000022-1995-05-12 — Page 11

-

9

"The Convention is commonly known as the Istanbul Convention. It was adopted by the World Customs Organisation to consolidate a number of pre-existing conventions concerning the temporary admission of goods," he added.

Most of the pre-existing conventions are already applicable to Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong does not charge any import taxes or duties. Certain goods for temporary admission are already exempted from the trade declaration requirement.

"To comply fully with the obligations under the Istanbul Convention, we have amended the Import and Export (Registration) Regulation to waive the trade declaration requirements for the temporary admission of broadcasting equipment and means of transport," he said.

The spokesman added that the Amendment Regulation would take effect on May 15.

"Apart from waiving the trade declaration requirements, the Istanbul Convention also requires contracting parties to accept the use of certain customs papers called ATA camets issued by members of the International Chamber of Commerce as substitutes for trade declarations to facilitate temporary admission of goods," the spokesman said.

To tie in with the accession, the spokesman said "the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce will be issuing ATA carnets for the purposes of the Istanbul Convention with effect from May 15, 1995".

"Hong Kong's accession to the Istanbul Convention will facilitate the expansion of Hong Kong's external trade and enhance our competitiveness in the international trade arena," the spokesman said.

"It will also enable Hong Kong to participate actively in the development of customs procedures through the World Customs Organisation."

End/Friday, May 12, 1995

Monitors' report submitted to CS

The monitors appointed to observe the Orderly Repatriation Programme (ORP) operation yesterday (Thursday) have submitted their report to the Chief Secretary today (Friday).