XN000022-1996-06-11 — Page 21

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Issues of common interests in the region including safety at sea and protection of marine environment were also discussed.

Taking part in the forum, which was chaired by the Director of Marine Hong Kong, Mr Ian Dale, are representatives from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

The delegates, all senior officials of their countries maritime authorities, had a full day of discussion today after a brief opening ceremony by the Secretary for Economic Services of the Hong Kong Government, Mr Gordon Siu.

At the business session today, each delegate presented their report on the latest developments and the Deputy Director General of the Maritime Transport Bureau of the Japan's Ministry of Transport, Mr Toshiaki Omori, presented a paper entitled Shipping Policy Development in the United States and European Union and the effect on the participating countries and territories.

The delegates will tour the major port facilities in Hong Kong including a visit to the Hongkong International Terminals at Kwai Chung tomorrow.

The next meeting will be held in Seoul, Korea, in 1997.

End

World Customs Organisation Conference meets in Hong Kong

The Secretary for the Treasury, Mr K C Kwong, this (Tuesday) morning officiated at the opening ceremony of the Policy Commission Meeting of the 1996 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The 1996 World Customs Organisation Conference comprising the Policy Commission Meeting and the Council Meeting will be held between June 11 and 20.

The conference, which is co-sponsored by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, will be attended by more than 300 delegates of the 140 member countries and territories of WCO and various international bodies. Today's Policy Commission Meeting will last until Friday (June 14). The Council meeting will commence on Monday (June 17) until Thursday (June 20).