ENG-2008 — Page 146

102 Commerce and Industry

and Trade Offices (ETOS) and consultants engaged overseas to offer solution-oriented investment promotion, facilitation and aftercare services in order to ensure that foreign companies have the support required to establish or expand their operations in the HKSAR, and through Hong Kong into the Mainland and Asia-Pacific region. Invest Hong Kong also provides information to help companies make informed investment decisions on setting up regional headquarters and regional offices in Hong Kong.

Customs and Excise Department

The Customs and Excise Department enforces various trade controls systems. covering those concerning the issue of certificates of origin (including those under the CEPA), the import and export of textiles strategic commodities, reserved commodities, rough diamonds and other prohibited goods, as well as compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. The department is also tasked with collecting import and export declarations, declaration charges and clothing levies, and to enforce the relevant statutory controls on these systems.

The department also enforces the criminal laws that protect copyright and trade marks, and consumer protection legislation relating to the safety of various commodities, the integrity of weights and measures and the marking of precious metals.

Intellectual Property Department

The Intellectual Property Department runs the registries of the trade marks, patents, designs and copyright licensing bodies, advises on policy and legislation related to intellectual property protection, provides civil intellectual property legal advice to the Government, and promotes public awareness of and respect for intellectual property rights.

Overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices

There are 10 overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOS) located in Brussels, Geneva, London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Washington.

With the exception of the Geneva office which represents Hong Kong, China, as a member of the World Trade Organisation, and as an observer on the Trade Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the other nine ETOS seek to promote Hong Kong's economic and trade interests by enhancing understanding of Hong Kong among opinion-formers; closely monitoring developments that might affect Hong Kong's economic and trade interests; and liaising closely with the business and commercial sectors, politicians, think tanks and the news media. They also organise events to promote Hong Kong's image.

The Brussels office takes a leading role in representing Hong Kong on matters relating to Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in Europe, in particular in dealings with the European Union, European Commission and European Parliament. It also promotes bilateral relations in 17 European countries.