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The Trade and Industry Department (TID) announced today (November 30) the application procedures for the Certificate of Hong Kong Service Supplier (HKSS) in respect of new service areas under the second phase of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA II).

"The procedures for applying for Certificates of HKSS under CEPA II basically follow those under CEPA I. Enterprises which meet the eligibility criteria of Hong Kong service suppliers can now apply to the TID for the Certificate of HKSS under CEPA II," a TID spokesman said.

"Since November 2003, the TID has been providing free one-stop advisory and certification services to Hong Kong service suppliers of all service sectors under CEPA I. Such services will now be extended to the new service areas under CEPA II," the spokesman added.

Under CEPA I, the Mainland has given preferential treatment to Hong Kong service suppliers in 18 service sectors. In CEPA II, the Mainland has agreed to broaden the liberalisation for 11 of them, and introduce liberalisation measures to eight new areas. Hong Kong service suppliers are now eligible for preferential treatment in 26 service areas.

The public can download the application procedures and requirements for the Certificate of HKSS from the "CEPA Trade in Services" webpage on the TID's website (www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/trade_services.html). For enquiries, please contact the Hong Kong Service Supplier Certification Section of TID at:

Address: 11/F, Trade and Industry Department Tower, 700 Nathan Road, Kowloon.

Tel: 3403 6428

Fax: 3525 0988

E-mail: hkss@tid.gov.hk

Ends/Tuesday, November 30, 2004

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