ENG-1982 — Page 48

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

27

and the collection and dissemination of information on trade policy measures taken by the countries concerned which may affect Hong Kong. Another division has the same responsibility for the other regions (that is, other than the EEC and North America). The third division is responsible for over-seeing the day-to-day operation of the Hong Kong Textile Export Quota System, the planning and implementation of the programme to computerise the textile controls system, origin certification, the import and export licensing of commodities other than textiles, and a rice control scheme.

Customs and Excise Department

The Customs and Excise Department was established on August 1, 1982, following the division of the Trade Industry and Customs Department into three separate departments. The head of the department is the Commissioner of Customs and Excise. He is assisted by a deputy commissioner and two assistant commissioners, one of whom is in charge of the Customs and Excise Service while the other heads the Administration and Trade Controls Division.

The Customs and Excise Service is a disciplined and uniformed force. Its main functions are to enforce the laws of Hong Kong relating to dutiable commodities, dangerous drugs, import and export controls and copyright protection.

The Administration and Trade Controls Division is responsible for the receipt of trade declarations and the collection of the ad valorem charge and clothing levy; for routine inspections of factories and consignments in connection with applications for certificates of origin, import and export licences, trade declarations, manifests and reserved commodities; investigation of fraud in this field and the enforcement of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and design copyright aspects of the Copyright Ordinance; and the handling of trade complaints generally.

In 1982, the division completed 40 757 inspections of factories and consignments, 1611 costing checks in connection with applications under the Generalised Systems of Preference (Form 'A'), and 24 403 inquiries and verifications relating to trade declarations and manifests. It conducted 7 678 associated assessments resulting in the collection of $2.4 million in ad valorem charges and administrative penalties.

The division also completed a total of 1 276 cases resulting in the imposition by the courts of fines amounting to $6.8 million and prison sentences of up to two years. Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, goods valued on the market at $20 million were seized, while goods valued at $5.4 million were forfeited to the Crown.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council is responsible for promoting and developing international trade with particular emphasis on Hong Kong's exports. Its chairman is appointed by the Governor, and the other 16 council members include representatives of major trade associations, leading businessmen and industrialists, and two senior government officials. The council is financed by: a grant from public funds; the net proceeds of an ad valorem levy on exports and on imports other than foodstuffs; and miscellaneous income from sources such as advertising fees and sales of publications.

The staff of the council carried out an extensive trade promotion programme in 1982, organising about 80 major international projects. These included an economic mission to Europe, covering Austria, Belgium, France and the Netherlands, and another to Australia and New Zealand. These missions were aimed at developing trade opportunities