************************************************************
The Import and Export (General) Regulations (Amendment of Fourth and Fifth Schedules) Order 2009 to simplify control arrangements for Hong Kong's textile exports to the European Union (EU) was gazetted today (April 24).
The Order will come into operation on June 29. All textile exports to the EU will only need to be covered by either consignment-specific export licences or comprehensive export licences. Traders exporting textile products only to the EU will no longer need to register under the Textiles Trader Registration Scheme (TTRS) for submitting textile notifications for their exports to the EU. In addition, all cut-and-sewn garments destined for the EU will no longer be subject to the Production Notification requirement.
"It has been our aim to maintain control measures only to the extent necessary while upholding the integrity of our control system. The simplified arrangements for export to the EU will relieve Hong Kong textile traders of administrative and cost burdens and enable them to realise the benefits derived from the liberalised trading environment of the EU market," a spokesman for the Trade and Industry Department (TID) said.
"Local textile traders registered under TTRS are encouraged to plan ahead in light of the simplified control requirements. The implementation details of the arrangements have been set out in a trade circular issued by the TID today and is accessible via the TID webpage (www.tid.gov.hk/english/aboutus/tradecircular/ne/notice_exporter.html)," the spokesman added.
Ends/Friday, April 24, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:31
NNNN