Business forum on CEPA service liberalisation measures and implementation arrangement (with photos/video)

Business forum on CEPA service liberalisation measures and implementation arrangement (with photos/video)
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     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the People's Government of Guangdong Province jointly held a business forum today (May 23) to help familiarise Hong Kong's industry and business sectors with service liberalisation measures under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and its Supplements, in particular Supplement VIII. Relevant Mainland policies and implementation arrangements as well as measures for early and pilot implementation in Guangdong Province were introduced at the forum, which was held at the Central Government Offices, Tamar.

     The forum aims to promote and encourage fuller utilisation of the liberalisation and facilitation measures under CEPA, including the early and pilot measures, for effective implementation of CEPA.

     The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang; the Vice-Minister of Commerce, Mr Jiang Yaoping; and the Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province, Ms Zhao Yufang, delivered speeches at the forum. Business representatives also shared their experiences in making use of CEPA measures in developing business on the Mainland.

     More than 60 representatives from nine central ministries and 16 departments of the People's Government of Guangdong Province attended the forum, indicating the great importance that the Central Government and Guangdong Province attach to the implementation of CEPA. The forum attracted about 300 participants, mostly Hong Kong businessmen and professionals.

     The forum included four breakout sessions, at which officials from the Mainland introduced the implementation arrangements, application criteria and procedures of liberalisation measures under CEPA, and answered questions from the audience. The sessions covered major service sectors including financial services (banking, securities and insurance); legal; medical; accounting; electronic business; technical testing, analysis and product testing; distribution; individually owned stores; tourism; job placement or referral intermediary; environmental; construction and related engineering.

     By the end of April 2012 more than 81,000 applications for Certificate of Hong Kong Origin under CEPA had been approved, with the total export value of the goods concerned amounting to over HK$40 billion. Major product categories include pharmaceutical products, plastics and plastic articles, textiles and clothing, food and beverages. By the end of March 2012, tariff savings amounted to about RMB 2.8 billion.

     By the end of April 2012, some 1,400 enterprises had been certified as Hong Kong Service Suppliers, with over 2,500 certificates issued. Popular service sectors include transport and logistics, distribution, air transport, intermediary for job placement or referral, and advertising services.

     For details of CEPA and its Supplements, please refer to the Trade and Industry Department's website at www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/index.html.

Ends/Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:15

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