ENG-2018 — Page 137

ད

Commerce and Industry

The government is exploring with the Mainland authorities the extension of the scheme to more clearance points in Guangdong and the Greater Bay Area.

Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme

The Free Trade Agreement Transhipment Facilitation Scheme allows consignments passing through Hong Kong to be charged preferential tariffs under FTAs signed between the Mainland and her trading partners. The department supervises such consignments and issues a certificate of non-manipulation, enabling traders to claim preferential tariff from the authorities at the importing end.

Government Electronic Trading Services

The Government Electronic Trading Services allows the trading community to submit certain trade-related documents electronically to fulfil statutory obligations in a cost-effective and environment-friendly manner. Three government-appointed operators provide the services, which processed more than 21 million transactions in 2018.

Trade Single Window

The government is working to set up a Trade Single Window to allow one-stop lodging of all 50-plus types of trade submissions with the government for trade declaration and customs clearance purposes. Phase 1 was launched during the year, covering five types of trade documents initially, and will be extended progressively to cover 13 types of trade documents in total.

Trade and Industrial Support Organisations

Hong Kong Trade Development Council

The statutory HKTDC promotes, assists and develops Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in the Mainland, it promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub.

The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly SMEs, in the Mainland and international markets. It also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via trade. publications, research reports and digital news channels.

Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation

The statutory Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation encourages and supports export trade by providing insurance protection for Hong Kong exporters against non-payment risks arising from commercial and political events.

In 2018, the corporation's total insured business was the same as last year's $157 billion amid the uncertain global economy, while gross premium income edged up 0.3 per cent to $332.2 million. Payment of claims rose 336.4 per cent to $360.5 million amid the challenging consumer goods environment. In September, a new one-stop online credit insurance platform, EC-Reach,

95