Trade Department

The Trade Department is responsible for Hong Kong's commercial
relations with trading partners. It implements trade policies and
agreements, and conducts import and export licensing and origin
certification.

The department consists of five divisions. The Multilateral Division deals
with the multilateral aspects of the HKSAR's external commercial
relations, such as its participation in the WTO and the Organisation of
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Regional
Co-operation Division takes care of activities related to the Asia-Pacific
Economic Co-operation forum (APEC) and the Pacific Economic
Co-operation Council (PECC). In addition, the Regional Co-operation
Division is responsible for multilateral matters relating to market access
and government procurement.

The Asia and Americas Division and the Europe Division deal with
bilateral commercial relations with the HKSAR's trading partners in their
respective geographical areas. Such work includes the conduct of trade
negotiations and the implementation of textiles agreements, as well as the
collection and dissemination of information on developments which may
affect the HKSAR's external trade, especially those relating to trade
policies and measures adopted in its major markets. The Europe Division
also has responsibility for multilateral matters relating to anti-dumping,
rules of origin, competition and investment.

The Systems Division is responsible for the textiles export control
system, the computerisation of the department's licensing systems, origin
certification, the import and export licensing of commodities other than
textiles, the rice control scheme and common services.

The department is assisted in its work on commercial relations by 10
overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices. All overseas offices
are under the administration of the Trade and Industry Bureau.

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