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Following is the full text of a speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Mr CHAU Tak Hay, in moving the second reading of the Import and Export (Electronic Transactions) Bill 2001 in the Legislative Council today (June 13): (translation)

Madam President,

I move that the Import and Export (Electronic Transactions) Bill 2001 be read the second time.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance and the Reserved Commodities Ordinance, carriers are required to submit to Customs and Excise Department, Census and Statistics Department, and Trade and Industry Department manifests in relation to cargoes imported into and exported from Hong Kong. At present, the law requires carriers to submit cargo manifests in paper form.

We propose to amend the relevant legislation to require carriers to use the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) service to submit cargo manifests electronically. Electronic submission would reduce paper work, improve efficiency, and promote the development of e-commerce in Hong Kong.

With the approval of funds by the Legislative Council in 1999, the Government has been developing the EDI system for processing submission of cargo manifests (EMAN), which will become operational before the end of this year. By then, carriers of all modes of transport, except road vehicles, can submit cargo manifests electronically.

In 1992, the Government signed a franchise agreement with Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited whereby Tradelink will provide front-end services for EMAN. The Government and Tradelink have consulted the industry on the implementation of EMAN and secured its support. The Legislative Council Panel on Commerce and Industry also supports the introduction of the Bill.

To ensure the arrangement on submission of cargo manifests can migrate smoothly from paper to electronic form, we will make special arrangement so that carriers will be allowed to continue to submit cargo manifests in paper form initially.

We will also organise publicity measures, which include setting up enquiry counters at the departmental offices handling cargo manifests, displaying messages at websites, and sending letters to the industry and relevant business associations. These measures proved to be effective when we launched the EDI services for other documents in the past.

Thank you, Madam President.

End/Wednesday, June 13, 2001

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