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information exchange between the two sides were regularly conducted. Hong Kong Customs also mounted joint operations with the Guangdong Customs on a regular basis for combating the smuggling of infringing goods across boundaries.

Participation in International Organisations

To keep abreast of international developments in intellectual property protection, the Intellectual Property Department continued to participate in various international forums, including the activities of the WTO Council for Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), conferences at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), and the Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of a Revised Trademark Law Treaty. The department also represented Hong Kong, China at other international and regional intellectual property symposiums and conferences, including the 22nd meeting of the APEC Intellectual Property Experts Group held in Hanoi, Vietnam in February and the 23rd meeting held in Guadalajara, Mexico in August.

Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme

The $100 million Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme was launched in 2002 to provide funding support, on an equal matching basis, for professional service sectors to organise projects to enhance their external competitiveness and standard. Projects funded include capacity building programmes, for example international conferences and training courses, market research and promotional activities, such as roadshows and exhibitions. Of the 128 projects that have been rolled out, about 47 per cent relate to enhancing the competitiveness of local professional service sector in the Mainland market.

Business Facilitation

The Government has pledged to cut red tape and simplify regulations to facilitate and sustain a vibrant business environment in Hong Kong. The business. facilitation initiatives are taken forward under the overall steer of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee (BFAC) set up in January 2006 to replace the former Economic and Employment Council. The BFAC is made up of representatives from the political, business, academic and professional sectors and senior government officials from the relevant bureaux. Industry representatives provide their input through participation in the business facilitation task forces. Under the guidance of the BFAC and its task forces, regulatory reviews were conducted and measures were initiated to make government regulations and procedures more business-friendly and reduce compliance costs to business. In 2006, 28 studies and projects (focusing mainly on the regulations governing the construction, real estate, retail, entertainment and food business sectors) were completed or initiated, and over 30 recommendations for improvements were completed.

The Business Facilitation Division of the Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit under the Financial Secretary's Office coordinates and takes forward the Government's business facilitation efforts. The division also provides secretariat and other executive support to the BFAC and its task forces.