The Hong Kong Customs has signed a co-operative arrangement with
the Tax and Customs Administration of the Netherlands, according to
the Information Services department of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.
Commissioner of Customs and Excise Timothy Tong and Head of
Dutch Customs Administration Willy Rovers, representing their
respective administrations, signed the "Arrangement on Technical
Co-operation" on Wednesday in The Hague.
Tong also had a meeting with Jan Kees de Jager, Secretary of
State of the Ministry of Finance, on Hong Kong's advantages as an
entrepot between Europe and the Chinese mainland.
Under the Arrangement, Hong Kong and Dutch Customs will seek to
enhance efficiency and effectiveness of customs control, and
improve risk management.
Hong Kong and Dutch Customs have established close working
relationship, particularly in the field of enforcement and trade
facilitation. Signing of the Arrangement has reaffirmed commitment
and co-operation between the two administrations.
Tong is leading a delegation to visit France and the Netherlands
from Monday to Friday.
While in France, he met with Madam Christine Lagarde, French
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries at Bordeaux. He also
discussed with Bordeaux Customs and international wine traders ways
and means to promote Hong Kong as a wine hub.
(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2007)