TNAG-0148-FCO40-184-Consular-endorsements-of-certificates-of-origin-for-Italy-1969 — Page 32

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The recognised certificate-issuing bodies all adopt similar

rules under government co-ordination, inspection is carried

out by trained government officers and all Hong Kong

certificates of origin are protected by appropriate legis-

lation,

including heavy penalties for offences. The

importance of this system is attested by the fact that 80 per

cent of all Hong Kong exports are now of domestic origin and

20 per cent only are re-exports; and the high standards and

effectiveness of Hong Kong certificates of origin have been

acknowledged by her major trading partners, all of whom

accept these certificates without any requirement for consuler

endorsement.

5.

In view of this situation it is respectfully

suggested that the requirement for consular endorsements on

Hong Kong certificates of origin for exports to Italy is no

longer necessary. he verv rigorous system involved in

(The

issuing the certificates, including the provisions for

inspection and the legal protection and penalties, is sufficient

in itself to guarantee their validity and

The

single process of

endorsement by the Italian Consulate-General cannot, in practice

in the vay nyom autem affled in Mas add any further gilarantee. Full details of the Hong Kong

certification of origin system ene, in any case,

Always

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available to the Italien Consulate-Generel, and the Consulate-

General can have direct access to any part of this system at

any time.

The Hong Kona Government would welcome any inspections

into, or further consultations on, their certificate of oricin

system which the Italian Government might consider necessary.

6.

It might also be noted; in this __PPRATA! that the

Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and

/Trade have