********************************************************

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Wednesday) urged traders to make full use of the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) services in applying for trade documents in order to achieve greater efficiency and stay ahead of competition.

During a visit to the Trade Department, Mr Tung was updated by the Director-General of Trade, Mr Alan Lai, and his colleagues on the progress of the Phased Migration Programme to electronic submission of restrained textiles export licences which is scheduled for full migration on January 1, 1999.

Mr Tung said that such work by the Trade Department was one of the Government's efforts to promote wider use of EDI in the business community.

He noted that it was in traders' own interests to make early use of the EDI services as it could save time and costs, and reduce a lot of paperwork.

Mr Tung was also briefed on the department's efforts to enhance control and improve efficiency in the processing of import/export licences for strategic commodities.

A new computer system was installed last month to enhance the licensing system and to maintain a comprehensive database to facilitate better co-ordination among departments.

The Chief Executive was also briefed on the department's initiatives in the Helping Business Programme. Latest initiatives under the programme include the setting up of two Customer Service Centres and an Information Centre.

At the Customer Service Centre of the Europe Textiles Controls Branch, Mr Tung met front-line staff and enquired with interest the operation of the centre and how staff handle customers' requests.

Mr Tung then visited the Classification Unit of the Europe Division where he was explained how different types of textiles products were classified into appropriate categories.

Earlier during the visit, the Chief Executive exchanged views with the department's directorate officers on the main tasks of the department in respect of commercial relations at bilateral level, regional level (such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation) and multilateral level (mainly the World Trade Organisation) as well as trade support and facilitation to traders.

End/Wednesday, May 13, 1998

NNNN