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departments and to reduce compliance cost to business. Around 30 Government bureaux and departments providing licensing services to various business sectors participate in the programme.
Business Liaison Groups established for major business sectors facilitate communication between the Government bureaux and departments and the trades regarding regulatory and licensing issues. A business consultation e-platform (www.gov.hk/en/theme/bf/consultation/calendar.htm) set up under the GovHK portal facilitates business sectors' access to consultation information relating to proposed regulations, administrative measures and procedures that would impact business, and enables them to offer their feedback. The Government has made good progress on various fronts in improving the overall licensing environment for doing business in Hong Kong.
The Business Facilitation Division of the Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit under the Financial Secretary's Office co-ordinates the Government's efforts to take forward various business facilitation measures. The division also provides secretariat and other executive support to the BFAC and its task forces.
Trade Documentation
As a free port, the HKSAR maintains optimal import and export documentation requirements to facilitate legitimate trade. Most products do not need licences to enter or leave Hong Kong. Licences are required mainly to fulfill HKSAR's international obligations; to protect public health, safety, the environment, or intellectual property rights; or ensure Hong Kong's continued access to advanced technologies and hi-tech products.
The HKSAR also maintains an origin certification system to facilitate its exports to external markets.
Road Cargo System
The Road Cargo System (ROCARS) is an electronic platform developed to facilitate customs clearance of road cargoes. ROCARS was launched in May 2010, with a transitional period of 18 months. With effect from November 17, 2011, ROCARS submissions will become mandatory. All cross-boundary trucks using the system, except those selected for inspection, now enjoy seamless customs clearance at the land boundary.
Intermodal Transhipment Facilitation Scheme
An Intermodal Transhipment Facilitation Scheme (ITFS) was launched in November 2010 to simplify customs clearance procedures for air-land and sea-land intermodal transhipment cargo. Under ITFS, for traders using ROCARS and certain tracking devices prescribed by the Customs and Excise Department, such cargo will normally be inspected only once by Customs when passing through Hong Kong.
Government Electronic Trading Services
To maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international trading centre, in 1997 the Government launched the Government Electronic Trading Services system
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