******************************************************
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Paul Tang, visited the Trade and Industry Department this afternoon (December 13) to learn more about the work of the department and to take the opportunity to meet its staff.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Raymond Wong, Mr Tang met with the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Kenneth Mak, and the directorate staff. He noted the important role played by the department in conducting Hong Kong's international trade relations and implementing trade policies and agreements, as well as providing general support services for industries and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Mr Tang started with a tour of the customer service centre and central registration office of the Textiles Licensing Branch, where he met with front-line staff at work. Mr Tang then visited the Powdered Formula Licensing Unit to better understand its daily operation.
Mr Tang continued the visit with briefings on the Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs and the SME Export Marketing Fund (EMF) Unit to understand the support provided to SMEs and how the EMF helps SMEs to expand their businesses through participation in export promotion activities.
During the tour, Mr Tang also had the chance to visit the Rice Control Unit, the Rough Diamonds Import and Export Licensing Counter and the licensing section of the Strategic Trade Controls Branch.
He was impressed by the department's effort in providing various licensing, certification and registration services for commodities in fulfilment of Hong Kong's international and bilateral obligations, to meet public safety and security requirements and to complement the trade arrangements with our major trading partners.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Tang met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on relevant issues. He encouraged the staff to continue offering their professional and high-quality services.
Ends/Friday, December 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:47
NNNN
