ENG-1991 — Page 129

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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and items for use relating to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons was introduced in August.

Hong Kong maintains a certification of origin system which enables the origin of goods which Hong Kong exports to be established, in order to meet the requirements of importing authorities. The Trade Department administers this system and issues certificates of origin where required. Other certificate-issuing organisations which have government approval are the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Indian Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.

Participation in International Organisations

Being an integral part of the Asian-Pacific economy and an important regional services centre, Hong Kong has a role to play and a contribution to make in regional economic co-operation. Hong Kong's economic links with the region have been expanding. In 1991, some 62 per cent of Hong Kong's total external trade was accounted for by intra- regional trade.

A Hong Kong delegation led by the Secretary for Trade and Industry attended the 3rd APEC Ministerial Meeting held on November 12-14 in Seoul at which Hong Kong's admission was formalised.

The Hong Kong Committee for Pacific Economic Co-operation (HKCPEC) was set up in March 1990 with the objective of advising on Hong Kong's participation in, and co-ordinating the territory's input to, the Pacific Economic Co-operation Conference (PECC). In keeping with the tripartite formula of the PECC, the committee comprises government officials, business leaders and academics. The Trade Department provides the secretariat for the committee.

Since its formation, HKCPEC has taken an active part in the PECC process and the new membership status, which Hong Kong attained in May 1991, has enabled the committee to participate more fully in PECC activities. Hong Kong participated actively in the 5th PECC Trade Policy Forum held in Kuala Lumpur in August. Hong Kong also took part in the Human Resource Development Task Force Meeting and the Pacific Economic Outlook - Structural Issue Part Meeting in Osaka in September. In October, a delegation attended a workshop on Science and Technology Industrial Parks held in Shanghai.

During the year, Hong Kong continued to play an active part in the informal dialogue initiated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with the dynamic Asian Economies (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia). Hong Kong participated in all six workshops held for this purpose between February and June in Paris, Singapore, Seoul and Helsinki. The topics discussed covered trade, securities markets, macroeconomic policy, global interdependence, the integration of Central and Eastern Europe, and long-term perspectives on the world economy.

Customs and Excise Department

The Trade Controls Branch of the Customs and Excise Department is responsible for the enforcement of Hong Kong's trade controls legislation relating to origin certification, import and export licensing of textiles and strategic commodities, verification and assessment of trade declarations. It also enforces consumer protection legislation and a reserved commodities control scheme.