ENG-2000 — Page 159

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

offers over 2100 training programmes annually, provides various management services, and organises a series of awards and competitions.

The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association was established in 1991. It has about 1 000 members which comprise enterprises that are wholly owned by Mainland investors or in joint ventures with Hong Kong or overseas investors. The objective of the association is to promote the co-operation and development of industries, commerce, finance, trade and technology among the Mainland, Hong Kong and other countries or territories.

The Hong Kong Exporters' Association was established in 1955. Since then, it has been an active promoter of Hong Kong's export and re-export trade. In mid-2000, it had around 550 members.

Customs and Excise Department

Trade Controls

The Customs and Excise Department is responsible for enforcing various trade control systems, including the certification of origin system, the textiles import and export control system, the strategic commodities control system and the import and export declaration system. These systems aim to protect and facilitate legitimate trade, which is vital to the economy of Hong Kong.

The department works closely with the Trade and Industry Department to combat false declarations of origin and values of goods, illegal transhipment of textiles, and illicit trade in strategic commodities. This is done through factory and consignment inspection, investigation and prosecution. In 2000, the department carried out 59 833 factory and consignment inspections and 3116 investigations. It successfully prosecuted 1410 offenders, resulting in the imposition of fines amounting to $21.6 million.

To strengthen enforcement measures against illegal transhipment of textiles, the department, in addition to factory audit checks and consignment factory inspections, has stepped up blitz check operations on textile consignments at various import and export control points. It has also increased the monetary reward under a special scheme to elicit information on textile origin frauds.

The department monitors the stock of rice in Hong Kong to ensure that there is always an adequate supply of this essential foodstuff in the HKSAR at a reasonably stable price.

Consumer Protection

The branch also enforces consumer protection legislation relating to the safety of toys, children's products and consumer goods, the integrity of weights and measures, and the marking of precious metals. The branch carries out spot checks and investigations to ensure that the toys, children's products and consumer goods supplied in Hong Kong are safe. It also has responsibilities in protecting consumers from fraudulent or unfair trading practices related to quantities of goods and the fineness of gold and platinum articles. In 2000, it carried out 3 582 spot checks and 1093 investigations. It also launched programmes to promote traders' and consumers' awareness of product safety.

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