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 : The Trade and Industry Department indicates that in 2012-13 it will continue to provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with support services through the Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS). What were the scope of services and the comparison of the breakdown of expenditure for the past three years? Asked by : Hon. LAM Tai-fai Reply : For the past three years, the Support and Consultation Centre for SMEs (SUCCESS) of the Trade and Industry Department (TID) has been providing free support services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which have been well received by SMEs. On information services, the SUCCESS website contains business information, including requirements for government licences and permits, etc. SUCCESS also keeps SMEs informed of the latest business information and the updated news on SMEs’ activities and services through its reference library, business electronic databases, e-newsletters and regular publication, "SME Pulse". On consultation services, SUCCESS arranges SMEs to meet with experts of various sectors for professional consultation through its "Meet-the-Advisors" Business Advisory Service, providing them with practical advice on business operation problems. Under the “SME Mentorship Programme”, SME entrepreneurs who are at their early stage of business may learn from and be guided by accomplished entrepreneurs through one-on-one counselling on entrepreneurial skills. In addition, SUCCESS often organises seminars and workshops to help broaden SMEs’ business knowledge and enhance their entrepreneurial skills. The expenditure of SUCCESS for the past three years has been included in the recurrent expenditure of TID and cannot be broken down separately for comparison.
Question : The Trade and Industry Department has planned to continue discussion, in consultation and conjunction with relevant policy bureaux and departments, with the Mainland authorities in 2012-13 on further liberalisation under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and issues relating to the implementation of the announced liberalisation measures. Both local trade and professionals have reflected that the situation of “the big doors are open, but small doors are not yet open” exists. In view of this, would the Administration please inform this Committee of any further plans for effective implementation of the announced liberalisation measures and the breakdown of expenditure? Asked by: Hon. LAM Tai-fai Reply: The Government attaches great importance to the effective implementation and further liberalisation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA). We work closely with the Mainland authorities at central, provincial and municipal levels to address and follow up on problems encountered by Hong Kong enterprises (including professionals) in using CEPA liberalisation measures in the Mainland. Apart from providing free information and advisory services on CEPA, the Trade and Industry Department (TID) has established a notification mechanism with the Mainland authorities to disseminate information in relation to the promulgation of relevant regulations and implementation details on its CEPA website for the trade’s reference. Hong Kong enterprises can also seek advice on the regulatory regime and application details of the relevant service industries in the Mainland from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council China Business Advisory Unit, which comprises representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, Guangdong Province, Shanghai Municipality and Fujian Province. If Hong Kong enterprises encounter difficulties in using CEPA measures, they can approach TID, offices of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Mainland, or the relevant bureaux and departments. We will render assistance as appropriate having regard to the nature of the problems involved. The CEPA-related work outlined above is carried out by different bureaux and departments. The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch) is responsible for the overall policy on CEPA; TID oversees bilateral discussions on further liberalisation and implementation of liberalisation measures under CEPA; and individual bureaux and departments deal with specific issues related to the liberalisation and implementation of CEPA in the relevant service sectors. The resource requirements are worked out by relevant bureaux/departments respectively, and we do not have information on the actual amount involved.
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