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The Trade and Industry Department (TID) has announced today (May 20) the flexible arrangements for group of companies to apply for the Certificate of Hong Kong Service Supplier (HKSS) under CEPA.

"Some companies in Hong Kong are now operating in the form of group of companies in accordance with the Companies Ordinance. With the agreement of the Mainland, we are pleased to announce that eligible companies which have engaged in substantive business operations in Hong Kong in the form of group of companies may now apply for the HKSS Certificate and enjoy the preferential treatments under CEPA," said a TID spokesman today.

"We are committed to facilitating the trade to make full use of the preferences under CEPA. We will continue to liaise with the Mainland side and improve the implementation arrangements to enable the business sector to gain the greatest benefits from CEPA," a TID spokesman added.

The TID issued today a notice setting out the flexible arrangements for group of companies to apply for HKSS Certificates under CEPA. Opportunity is also taken to streamline the documentation requirements. Details can be found in TID's CEPA website (www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/index.html).

Ends/Thursday, May 20, 2004

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