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INDUSTRY AND TRADE

and export licensing and origin certification. On matters of policy affecting trade, the Director-General of Trade takes advice from the Trade Advisory Board and the Textiles Advisory Board, both of which are appointed by the Governor and chaired by the Secretary for Trade and Industry.

The department consists of five divisions, three of which deal with bilateral commercial relations with Hong Kong's trading partners. Their work includes the conduct of trade negotiations and the implementation of textile agreements, as well as collection and dissemination of information on developments which may affect Hong Kong's external trade, especially those relating to trade policies and measures adopted in Hong Kong's major markets. The distribution of work among these three divisions is by geographical area. One of these divisions also takes on the additional responsibilities for Asia-Pacific regional economic co-operation as well as the computerisation of the department's licensing systems. The fourth division deals with the multilateral aspects of Hong Kong's external commercial relations, such as its participation in the GATT and in the negotiation of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement. The fifth division is responsible for the textiles export control system, common services, origin certification, the import and export licensing of commodities other than textiles, and a rice control scheme.

الله

On August 28, 1990, the department moved from rented premises in Ocean Centre to permanent accommodation at the Trade Department Tower in Mong Kok. As a result the department was able to introduce a number of improvements to its service, including the provision of instant service for export licences for textile products to the non-restrained markets.

The department's work is assisted by the Hong Kong Government Office in London and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Brussels, 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

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 (GATT). 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 commercial 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, proposed 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 Tokyo Office conducts similar activities in Japan, looking after Hong Kong's commercial, economic and public relations interests.

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