Hong Kong Customs celebrates 2013 International Customs Day (with photos)

The Convenor of Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mr Lam Woon-kwong, together with Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Clement Cheung, officiated at a cocktail reception today (January 25) to celebrate the 2013 International Customs Day (ICD).

The theme chosen for this event was "Innovation for Customs progress", aiming to promote the use of innovative ideas and practices in a changing environment to address emerging risks, combat transnational crime, deter illicit activities, protect revenue collection and facilitate trade.

Mr Lam said, "This year's theme highlights the need for Customs administrations worldwide to cope with technological advancement, trade liberalisation and looming security threats."

He noted that Hong Kong Customs was ready to take on the challenge and strive in a volatile landscape, citing as good examples the recent implementation of the Road Cargo System, the launch of the Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator Programme as well as impending establishment of the Electronic Crime Investigation Centre.

Also speaking at the reception, Mr Cheung stressed that the theme for the 2013 ICD was timely and relevant in a globalised world where the efficient movement of goods and people was the ultimate deciding factor in business competitiveness, and that Customs administrations must balance their traditional duty of crime interdiction against the modern mandate of trade facilitation.

During a short ceremony Mr Lam presented the World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit to 20 officers working at Hong Kong Customs for their positive contribution towards Customs co-operation, enforcement, operation enhancement, system development and trade facilitation.

The reception was patronised by some 350 guests including Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, senior officials, Consuls General, Customs attaches, representatives from Customs administrations of the Mainland and Macau as well as private sector stakeholders.

Similar events have been held by Hong Kong Customs in the past 24 years since it became a member of the World Customs Organization in 1987.

Ends/Friday, January 25 2013

The Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mr Lam Woon-kwong (seventh left), and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Clement Cheung (centre), propose a toast at the 2013 International Customs Day reception today (January 25). Joining them are the Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the PRC (GSGAC), Mr Lu Bin (sixth left); the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok (seventh right); the Director General of Shenzhen Customs District, Mr Li Shuyu (sixth right); the Director General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Choi Lai-hang (fifth left); the Deputy Director General of the GSGAC, Mr Chen Jianwen (fifth right); and the directorate of Hong Kong Customs.

Mr Lam (front row, fifth left) and Mr Cheung (front row, fifth right) with Hong Kong Customs officers who were awarded the World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit.