ENG-1989 — Page 111

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

common services, origin certification, the import and export licensing of commodities other than textiles, and a rice control scheme.

The department's work is assisted by Hong Kong Government Offices in London and Brussels, and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Geneva, New York, Washington, San Francisco and Tokyo. Details are at Appendix 6. These overseas offices are administered by the Trade and Industry Branch of the Government Secretariat. They represent Hong Kong's commercial relations interests on a day-to-day basis and provide information on international developments which may affect Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Government Offices Overseas

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The Hong Kong Government maintains offices in Geneva, Brussels, London, Washington, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo, mainly to safeguard and advance Hong Kong's economic and commercial interests overseas.

The Geneva office represents Hong Kong in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The office keeps under review developments arising from the deliberations in the GATT and other international organisations in Geneva and has been closely involved in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations. The Brussels office represents Hong Kong's economic and related interests concerning the European Community and the governments of member states (other than the United Kingdom). Hong Kong's com- mercial relations with the United Kingdom, Austria and the Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden and Norway) are handled through the London office. The Washington, New York and San Francisco offices closely monitor economic and trade developments, pro- posed legislation, and other matters in the United States of America and Canada that might affect Hong Kong's economic interest in general and bilateral trade with these two countries in particular. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade office in Tokyo was established in September 1988 for the development of Hong Kong's commercial, economic and public relations interests in Japan. The Brussels, London, New York, San Francisco and Tokyo offices undertake industrial promotion activity, advising firms in the host countries about opportunities for investing in Hong Kong industries. All overseas offices, except Geneva, act as a point of direct contact between Hong Kong and the host country, and the local media and organisations with an interest in Hong Kong. They keep under review the commercial, economic and industrial developments and official thinking on international trade policies and advise the Hong Kong government on the likely repercussions of these developments. The London office, in addition, provides assistance to Hong Kong people in the United Kingdom, including Hong Kong students, and supervises the recruitment and training of Hong Kong public servants in the United Kingdom. The Marine Adviser based in London is Hong Kong's permanent representative to the Internation Maritime Organisation and provides an information centre for technical, legal and general maritime matters pertaining to Hong Kong. Details of representation overseas are at Appendix 6.

Customs and Excise Department

The Trade Controls Branch, one of the four component branches of the Customs and Excise Department, is responsible for the enforcement of the law relating to trade controls. The work of the other branches of the department is described in Chapter 16 (Public Order).

The Trade Inspection and Verification Bureau, of the Trade Controls Branch, is respon- sible for the inspection of factories and consignments in connection with certificates of

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