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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Trade & Industry, Mr CHAU Tak Hay, in moving the second reading of the Protection of Non-Government Certificates of Origin (Amendment) Bill 1999 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

President,

I move that the Protection of Non-Government Certificates of Origin (Amendment) Bill 1999 be read the second time.

The purpose of this Bill is to provide for the processing of the applications for certificates of origin (COs) by the five Government Approved Certification Organisations (GACOs) through the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Traders normally apply for COs to facilitate customs clearance of consignments in the importing countries. Licence applications for the export of restrained textiles to certain countries are required to be supported by COs.

Apart from the Trade Department, there are five GACOs authorised by the Government for issuing COs. These are the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong, The Federation of Hong Kong Industries, The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong and The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. Detailed provisions are set out in the Protection of Non-Government Certificates of Origin Ordinance. It is necessary to make technical amendments to this Ordinance so as to allow traders a choice in submitting their applications for COs to the GACOs either through EDI or in paper form.

The introduction of EDI services provides convenience to the trader and enables Hong Kong to keep pace with other leading trading centres in the world in the use of electronic commerce. I hope that Members will support the Protection of Non-Government Certificates of Origin (Amendment) Bill 1999.

Thank you, Madam President.

End/Wednesday, June 16, 1999

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