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CEPA Joint Working Group holds third meeting
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     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, the Ministry of Commerce, relevant Central People's Government (CPG) ministries and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government held the third meeting of the Joint Working Group under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the Mainland and Hong Kong (CEPA) in Chongqing on April 29.

     Representatives from Hong Kong and the Mainland discussed the implementation problems concerning various service sectors under CEPA. Both sides discussed concrete measures to resolve specific policy and regulatory problems encountered by Hong Kong trade in CEPA implementation and had in-depth discussions on proposals for resolving these matters. Both sides also reached consensus to continue promoting the effective implementation of CEPA and facilitating Hong Kong enterprises in gaining access to the Mainland market.

     Under the medical sector, the HKSAR Government expects the local authorities of the Mainland side to provide detailed guidelines for establishing medical institutions, so as to facilitate the Hong Kong Service Suppliers to make effective use of the relevant liberalisation measures.

     Under the audiovisual (film) sector, both sides will keep in close liaison to keep track of individual cases and work out targeted solutions to resolve implementation problems. In this regard, CreateHK and the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television will continue to maintain close communication and review the effectiveness accordingly.

     Regarding cultural services (online games), both sides had useful discussion on the issue of co-operation or joint venture between Hong Kong Service Suppliers and Mainland companies to set up Internet culture business units in the Mainland. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue facilitating early implementation of the relevant details.

     On the real estate (property management) sector, both sides had in-depth discussion on the relevant details regarding how Hong Kong Service Suppliers can make use of CEPA to apply for property management company qualification in the Mainland. Consensus has been reached on a number of key issues with good progress made.

     On the financial services sector, the HKSAR Government urged the early implementation of measures relating to further participation of qualified Hong Kong financial institutions in the Mainland securities industry under Supplement X to CEPA so that these institutions can conduct relevant business in the Mainland as soon as possible.

     The HKSAR Government will continue to communicate and closely follow up the issues discussed at the meeting with the relevant Mainland authorities. The HKSAR Government will also liaise closely with the trade and explain to them the meeting outcome and the follow-up work, with a view to assisting them to better utilise the liberalisation measures under CEPA.

Ends/Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:16

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