ENG-2009 — Page 151

Commerce and Industry 103

Regarding trade in goods, since January 1, 2006, the Mainland has applied zero tariff to all imported goods of Hong Kong origin that meet the agreed CEPA rules of origin (ROOs). By end-2009, the CEPA ROOs for a cumulative total of 1 573 products had been agreed. For trade in services, about 250 liberalisation and facilitation measures have been announced, covering a total of 42 service areas3. Under these measures, Hong Kong service suppliers enjoy preferential treatment in entering the Mainland's service industries. Some of the liberalisation and facilitation measures are for pilot implementation in Guangdong Province.

CEPA continuously provides impetus to the economic development of Hong Kong. The liberalisation measures for implementation in Guangdong also help enhance economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

The Government will continue to help the business community tap the opportunities being brought about by CEPA. Close liaison is maintained with the Mainland authorities at different levels through various government bureaux and departments, the Beijing Office of the HKSAR Government, and Hong Kong ETOS in the relevant Mainland and quasi-government bodies such as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC), to help ensure smooth implementation of measures under CEPA. Regular high-level communication is also maintained through forums such as the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference and the CEPA Joint Steering Committee.

In addition, with the Mainland policy of expanding domestic demand, the HKSAR Government has been working with Mainland authorities in recent years to assist Hong Kong enterprises in tapping the Mainland market, including reflecting the trade's views on domestic sales and supporting the Mainland provinces and cities. in organising more business-matching events and trade fairs.

Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements

To assure overseas investors that their investments in Hong Kong are adequately protected, and to enable Hong Kong investors to enjoy similar protection overseas, Hong Kong has concluded Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPAs) with 16 economies.

Trade in Textiles

Hong Kong continues to capitalise on its expertise and immense potential to develop into a world-class logistics and sourcing hub for textiles. At the same time,

3 These service areas are: accounting, advertising, air transport, audiovisual, banking, building-cleaning, computer and related services, convention and exhibition, cultural, distribution, environmental, freight forwarding agency, individually owned stores, information technology, insurance, job intermediary, job referral agency, legal, logistics, management consulting, market research, medical and dental, patent agency, photographic, printing, professional qualification examinations, public utility, rail transport, real estate and construction, related scientific and technical consulting services, research and development, securities and futures, services incidental to mining, services related to management consulting, social services, sporting, storage and warehousing, telecommunications, tourism, trade mark agency, translation and interpretation, transport (including road freight/passenger transportation and maritime transport).