Replies to initial written questions raised by Finance Committee Members in examining the Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13 Director of Bureau : Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Session No. 12 File name : cedb(cit)- doc
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- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13
Question : By what means, including the resources involved, will the authorities promote greater use of the voluntary integrity-checking scheme to the industries to enable traders to enjoy tariff reductions under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement for goods that are transhipped through Hong Kong between the Mainland and Taiwan? What are the anticipated economic benefits brought to the industries by virtue of their participation in the scheme? Asked by : Hon. WONG Ting-kwong Reply : The “Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement” (ECFA) provides for tariff concession for a range of products shipped directly between the Mainland and Taiwan. The same concession is applicable to goods shipped through a third party (e.g. Hong Kong) subject to the full supervision by the Customs. In view of this, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) launched the “Hong Kong Facilitation Scheme for Cross-Straits Transhipment Cargoes” (the Scheme) in the interest of retaining cargo flow shipped through Hong Kong. Since the implementation of the Scheme in early 2011, 3 490 certificates of supervision were issued to facilitate the filing of claims for tariff concession. Since more goods qualify for concessions under the Scheme with effect from January 2012, C&ED is preparing to streamline the procedures to help boost utilisation of the Scheme, thereby assisting Hong Kong’s shipping, logistics, and cross-boundary transportation sectors, etc. to maintain their competitiveness. C&ED promotes the Scheme to its Customer Liaison Groups and various trade associations/organisations through briefing sessions. C&ED also publicises and promotes the Scheme in the Mainland and Taiwan from time to time. The resources involved have been subsumed under the general operating expenditures and would be difficult to quantify separately.
Question : As technology develops, there is an increasing trend in Internet crimes. The authorities indicated that they would upgrade the capability in the investigation of Internet and electronic crimes relating to infringement of intellectual property rights. Which aspects will such upgrade include? Will there be any increase in manpower and training resources involved? What are the specific contents? Asked by : Hon. WONG Ting-kwong Reply : The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) has two “Anti-Internet Piracy” teams, each comprising 7 officers, specialised in tackling Internet and other computer crimes relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights. C&ED will continue to make use of advanced computer techniques, computer forensic and network investigation tools with a view to enhancing enforcement effectiveness. In 2012-13, a total of $4 million will be deployed for setting up an “Electronic Crime Investigation Centre” in the interest of enhancing the capabilities of the Department in enforcement and handling digital evidence. The Department will also further strengthen liaison and co-operation with the industries and overseas law enforcement agencies to combat illicit activities infringing intellectual property rights.
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