The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, began her two-day visit to Hunan Province today (June 13).
In the morning, Ms Ho attended the launching ceremony of the Hunan-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme in Changsha. In her speech, Ms Ho said that Hunan is the supply base of agricultural products in the country and the extension of the Scheme to Hunan can further promote Hunan's agricultural and various kinds of products to overseas markets, consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international logistics centre, and create a win-win situation for trade between the two places.
Ms Ho later called on the Executive Vice-Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Li Dianxun, and the Director General in Changsha Customs District, Mr Zhu Guangyao, respectively and expressed her gratitude for their dedicated support and co-ordination to extend the Scheme to Hunan. They also exchanged views on leveraging the development opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and deepening the co-operation between the two Customs administrations. Ms Ho added that Hong Kong Customs proactively participates in the development of the GBA, and is committed to promoting the integration of logistics between the two places with the Mainland Customs. Making full use of the infrastructure and transportation networks of Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will also strengthen intermodal transshipment, foster the development of cold chain logistics services, and promote Hunan's high-quality fresh products to the world.
Hunan is the second Mainland province to implement the Single E-lock Scheme after Guangdong Province since 2016. Under the Scheme, duplicated inspection of the same consignment by the two Customs administrations is reduced with an aim to streamline the clearance process, expedite the flow of cargo transshipment, and expand the realm of co-operation in logistics industry between both sides.
On the same day, Ms Ho visited the Changsha Customs District and the Yueyang Customs House, and toured the Monitoring Command Centre of Changsha Customs District and the Yueyang Chenglingji Port, to learn about the latest logistics developments.
Ms Ho tomorrow (June 14) will visit the Shaoshan Customs House and have an in-depth exchange with officials on issues such as promoting customs clearance and trade. She will return to Hong Kong on the evening of the same day.
Ends/Tuesday, June 13, 2023
