The 10th Hong Kong, China - European Union Joint Customs Co-operation Committee meeting was held in Hong Kong today. The two sides signed an action plan on co-operation in customs enforcement of intellectual property rights.
Assistant Commissioner of Customs & Excise David Fong and European Commission Director of Security, Safety, Trade Facilitation, Rules of Origin & International Co-operation of the Directorate General of Taxation & Customs Union Antonis Kastrissianakis co-chaired the meeting and signed the action plan.
The meeting reviewed the joint efforts taken to facilitate trade and uphold enforcement co-operation, and discussed further co-operation in enhancing supply chain security by implementing Phase III of the Smart & Secure Trade Lanes Pilot Project in the coming year.
The two sides agreed to explore the mutual recognition of respective Authorised Economic Operator Programmes to enable traders to enjoy more clearance benefits at an international level.
The meeting also examined the enforcement strategy in combating the illicit trade of goods and both sides agreed to continue developing mutual collaboration on revenue protection.
