The Customs & Excise Department has signed a revised co-operative arrangement with its French counterpart on closer co-operation in law enforcement against smuggling and drug trafficking, and the protection of intellectual property rights.

Commissioner of Customs & Excise Richard Yuen and Director-General of the French Customs & Excise Administration Jerome Fournel signed the pact in Paris yesterday.

The previous co-operative arrangement was signed in 1996. Customs has so far signed co-operative arrangements with 14 administrations, including the Mainland General Administration of Customs.