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
Download 4.05 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2012-13
Question : At present, if Chinese product companies or other trading companies would like to set up branch offices in Taiwan, what difficulties will they encounter in respect of policies? How will the Administration render assistance and what resources will be provided to them in order to promote the economic and trade development of the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong? Asked by : Hon. WONG Ting-kwong Reply : Being Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), both Hong Kong, China and Chinese Taipei have to conduct their trade and implement trade policies according to WTO principles and rules. Under the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), Members are required to make, and to abide by, specific commitments to liberalise designated sectors. In respect of the supply of services through “Commercial Presence” (i.e. provision of service by a service provider of a Member through the setting up of a business in the area of another Member), many service sectors of Chinese Taipei have not yet been fully liberalised. In other words, the service providers of other WTO Members (including Hong Kong, China) still face restrictions in sectors not fully liberalised. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has maintained close liaison with the trade. So far we have not received any report from Hong Kong companies that they encounter unfair treatment in setting up branch offices in Taiwan. The Government will continue to closely monitor changes in trade and investment laws and regulations of our trading partners, including Taiwan, promptly give information and advice to the trade, and ensure that Hong Kong service providers enjoy the market access and fair treatment secured by WTO and bilateral trade agreements. On trade promotion, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Taipei Office will continue to promote Hong Kong’s service industries. HKTDC will encourage Taiwan brands to co-operate with Hong Kong companies, and to leverage on Hong Kong’s services platform to tap overseas and Mainland markets together. In 2012-13, HKTDC will continue to promote co-operation and explore co-operation opportunities in the area of trade between Hong Kong and Taiwan by means of different programmes such as organising trade fairs, outbound missions, symposiums, seminars, roadshows and business matching activities, etc. HKTDC will also encourage Pearl River Delta-based Taiwan manufacturers to expand business through the Hong Kong services platform, and utilise Hong Kong as their operations and logistics centre. Moreover, the Government will continue to, through the platform of “Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council” and “Hong Kong – Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee” of Hong Kong, and the “Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council” and “Economic Co-operation Committee” of Taiwan, enhance economic and trade co-operation and promote multi-faceted and in-depth exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan, with a view to promoting the economic and trade development of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||