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The Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Amendment of Schedule 1) Order 2011 will come into operation next Tuesday (January 3).
A spokesperson for the Trade and Industry Department (TID) said today (December 30), "The current exercise updates Hong Kong's Strategic Commodities Control List to reflect the changes adopted in the strategic commodities control lists by relevant international non-proliferation regimes, i.e. the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
"Hong Kong has been closely following the control thresholds adopted by the international non-proliferation regimes. This is to ensure that we would always be upholding controls consistent with international standards. The up-to-date control list of strategic commodities of Hong Kong would provide convenience and facilitation for local companies trading strategic commodities with major trading partners, which are implementing the same control lists of the international non-proliferation regimes."
Pursuant to Hong Kong Laws, the import and export of strategic commodities are subject to licensing control by the Director-General of Trade and Industry. "Such control helps maintain the confidence of technology supplying countries in our control system, thereby ensuring Hong Kong's continued access to high technology," the spokesperson explained.
Enquiries can be made to the Strategic Trade Controls Branch of the TID by telephone at 2398 5587 or by email at stc@tid.gov.hk.
The TID will also inform traders of the details of the amendments via circular and the general advisory service.
Ends/Friday, December 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:24
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