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Following is a question by the Hon Kenneth Ting and a reply by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, in the Legislative Council today (March 24):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the number of applications for Certificates of Origin under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) made to the authorities since its implementation, broken down by type of trades;

(b) whether there were rejected cases among such applications; if so, of the number of such cases and the main reasons for rejection; and

(c) whether the applicants for Certificates of Origin under CEPA have sought assistance from the authorities in connection with the submission or rejection of their applications; if they have, of the number of such cases and the major issues on which they require assistance?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) Since the implementation of CEPA and as at March 22, 2004, the Trade and Industry Department and the Government Approved Certification Organisations have received a total of 488 CEPA Certificate of Hong Kong Origin (CO(CEPA)) applications involving products of a number of sectors. In terms of product types, 13 broad categories are involved. Detailed breakdown is set out in Annex.

(b) So far there have only been 3 unsuccessful CO(CEPA) applications, which were due to (1) incorrect information provided by the applicant, and (2) failure of the product in fulfilling the relevant CEPA origin rule.

(c) So far we have not been approached by CO(CEPA) applicants for assistance in connection with the rejection of applications.

Annex: Number of Applications for CO(CEPA)

  Product Type	                    Number of Applications

  Food                                           3

  Chemical Products                              21

  Pharmaceutical Products                        146

  Cosmetics                                      1

  Colouring Matters                              43

  Plastics and Plastic Articles                  27

  Paper and Printed Articles                     11

  Textiles and Clothing                          172

  Jewelry and Precious Metals                    2

  Electrical and Electronic Products             49

  Toys                                           1

  Metal Products                                 9

  Clocks and Watches                             3

  Total:                                         488

Ends/Wednesday, March 24, 2004

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