ENG-1983 — Page 58

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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and dissemination of information on trade policy measures taken by the countries concerned which may affect Hong Kong. The fifth division is responsible for the Hong Kong textile export control system, the planning and implementation of the programme to computerise that system, origin certification, the import and export licensing of commodities other than textiles, and a rice control scheme.

Customs and Excise Department

The department comprises the Customs and Excise Service and the Administration and Trade Controls Division.

The Customs and Excise Service is a disciplined and uniformed force. Its main duties are to enforce Hong Kong's laws on dutiable commodities, dangerous drugs, import and export controls and copyright protection. Chapter 12, Public Order, gives a detailed account of the work of the service.

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 on imported and exported goods, and 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. It also investigates fraud relating to imports and exports, enforces the Trade Descriptions Ordinance and design copyright aspects of the Copyright Ordinance, and handles trade complaints.

In 1983, the division completed 46 774 inspections of factories and consignments, 1 599 costing checks in connection with applications under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (Form 'A'), and 40 668 inquiries and verifications relating to trade declarations and manifests. It conducted 5 332 associated assessments resulting in the collection of $3.6 million in ad valorem charges and administrative penalties.

The division also completed 1 572 cases, resulting in the imposition of fines totalling $4.8 million and prison sentences of up to six months. Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, goods with a market value of $21 million were seized, and goods valued at $5.7 million were forfeited to the Crown.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is a statutory body responsible for promoting and developing Hong Kong's overseas trade and publicising the opportunities and advan- tages of Hong Kong as a trading partner.

The chairman is appointed by the Governor and the 16 other members include representatives of major trade associations, leading businessmen and industrialists, and two senior government officials. The council is financed by the net proceeds of an ad valorem levy on all exports and on imports other than foodstuffs; and by miscellaneous income from sources such as advertising fees and sales of publications.

The council was established in 1966 and has built up a network of 27 offices throughout the world in addition to the head office and Tsuen Wan branch office in Hong Kong. All offices process trade enquiries, provide up-to-date trade and economic information and offer advice to businessmen interested in developing trade with Hong Kong. The overseas representatives and consultants can put traders in touch with any Hong Kong manufac- turers and exporters registered in the computer in the Trade Enquiries Department.

The staff of the council carried out an extensive trade promotion programme in 1983, organising more than 80 major international projects. In the United States, these included the Winter Consumer Electronics Fair in Las Vegas and the Summer Consumer Electronics