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Commerce and Industry
Participation in International Organisations
The Intellectual Property Department participates in various international forums (including discussions, activities and conferences of the World Trade Organisation Council for Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and the World Intellectual Property Organisation) and represents Hong Kong, China at various international and regional intellectual property symposiums and conferences, including the 36th and 37th meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Intellectual Property Experts Group respectively held in Jakarta and Medan in Indonesia.
Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme
A $100 million Professional Services Development Assistance Scheme, launched in 2002 and fully committed in 2013, provides funding support, on an equal matching basis, for professional service sectors to organise projects that enhance their external competitiveness and standards. These include capacity building programmes (such as international conferences and training courses), market research and promotional activities (such as road shows and exhibitions).
Business Facilitation
The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee (BFAC) advises the government on the development and implementation of programmes and measures to facilitate business compliance with government regulations and to sustain a competitive regulatory environment for business in Hong Kong while safeguarding the public interest. The BFAC is made up of representatives from the business, academic, professional and political sectors and senior government officials from the relevant bureaus. Around 30 government bureaus and departments which issue licences to various business sectors participate in the government's 'Be the Smart Regulator' programme, aimed at improving the efficiency, transparency and business-friendliness of the licensing system.
Business Liaison Groups foster communication between the government bureaus and departments and the major business sectors and help resolve regulatory and licensing matters at the operational level. A business consultation e-platform (http://www.gov.hk/bizconsult) has been set up under the GovHK portal to help the business community access information on proposed regulations, administrative measures and procedures that would impact on business, and to offer their views or comments. Its mobile apps are also available for free download by searching for 'eabfu' on the iPhone App Store and the Google Play Store.
The Efficiency Unit under the Chief Secretary's Office and the Business Facilitation Division (BFD) of the Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit under the Financial Secretary's Office jointly co-ordinate the 'Be the Smart Regulator' programme. The BFD also supports the work of 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 fulfil the HKSAR's international obligations; to protect public
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