ENG-2005 — Page 154

120 Commerce and Industry

Procedures (SCCP) of APEC, which is tasked to simplify and harmonise customs procedures to facilitate cross-border trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the WCO forum, the department works closely with the WCO vice-chairman representing the Asia-Pacific region on regional matters, and is a co-coordinator of regional activities on enforcement programmes in security, commercial fraud, smuggling and intelligence, customs-business partnership and integrity.

The department also maintains close liaison with the WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) in Beijing and has seconded an officer to the RILO Beijing Office to enhance the regional intelligence network by exchanging timely intelligence and offering investigative assistance to members in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Hong Kong Customs signed the WCO Letter of Intent on November 10, 2005 to implement the WCO Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade.

Recognising the importance of international cooperation with other customs administrations and law enforcement agencies in combating transnational customs crimes, the department maintains a good working relationship and close liaison with the customs attachés and representatives of other law enforcement agencies stationed in their consular missions in Hong Kong. Through regular bilateral meetings, the department has enhanced the cooperation with Mainland and other customs administrations in building up a strong network for exchanging intelligence of transnational customs crimes.

Container Security Initiative

Hong Kong Customs has helping with US Customs implement the Container Security Initiative (CSI) since May 2003. The initiative helps the smooth flow of US-bound cargoes originating from Hong Kong and minimises the risk of terrorists making attacks using ocean-going containers.

Small and Medium Enterprises

Manufacturing businesses in Hong Kong employing less than 100 people and non-manufacturing businesses with less than 50 are regarded as SMEs. There are about 268 000 SMEs in Hong Kong, representing about 98 per cent of all local enterprises and employing more than 1.18 million people. SMEs are the driving force of economic growth and the Government is committed to helping them develop.

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Four SME funding schemes the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme, the SME Export Marketing Fund, the SME Training Fund and the SME Development Fund established between the end of 2001 and January 2002 to help SMEs secure loans for business installations and equipment, meet working capital needs, expand overseas markets, upgrade human resources, and enhance overall competitiveness.

In May 2005, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council agreed to provide additional funding to extend the operation of the loan guarantee, export marketing fund and development fund schemes and to cease accepting new training fund applications from July 1, 2005. The Government's total commitment to the schemes has been raised to $12 billion. By the end of the year, a total of around