Banner:Database on Particular Policy Issues - Commerce and Industry

Initiatives facilitating trade



DateContextSummary of developmentAction
12/92 - The Administration entered into an agreement with the Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Tradelink) in December 1992, requiring Tradelink to develop and provide a Community Electronic Trading Service (CETS) in Hong Kong. CETS was to lay the foundation for the widespread use of information technology-based techniques like electronic data interchange (EDI) within Hong Kong's business community to improve efficiency and competitiveness

Tradelink's franchise began from the start of its commercial operation in 1997 and would expire on 31.12.03.
24.5.96 FC FC approved -
  		• creation of a new Subhead, with a commitment of $425 million and supplementary provision of $225 million in 1996-97, for providing a loan to Tradelink for working capital;
  		• reduction in the approved commitment under Subhead 101 Purchase of equity in Tradelink by $130,875,000; and
  		• reduction in the approved level of guarantees by Government of Tradelink's loans by $165,424,987.
    [Paper]
    4.3.97 TI The Panel discussed with the Administration on the proposed financial package to encourage the business community to use CETS in preparation for the phased withdrawal by March 2000 of the existing facilities for collecting Trade Declarations in the Customs and Excise Department. [Minutes]
    21.3.97 FC FC approved the following commitment to expand and enhance the existing EDI system in order to take forward further the plan to introduce CETS in Hong Kong.-
  		• an increase in commitment from $64,470,000 by $62,854,000 to $127,324,000 under Subhead A008XV Electronic data interchange system for the acquisition of computer hardware and software required by Census and Statistics Department, Customs and Excise Department and Trade Department to expand and enhance the existing Government electronic data interchange system; and
  		• an increase in commitment from $3,777,000 by $90,745,000 to $94,522,000 under Subhead A064XS Bureau computer service 1997-98 for the acquisition of computer hardware and software to be installed at the Information Technology Services Department Bureau for the electronic data interchange system.[Paper]

    8.9.97 TI At the briefing on policy objectives and work of Trade and Industry Bureau, the Panel discussed with the Administration on the progress of the implementation of CETS. [Paper] [Minutes]
    7.9.98 TI The Panel discussed with the Administration on the implementation of CETS and the role played by Tradelink. [Paper]
    3.11.98 TI The Panel discussed with the Administration on the proposed prices of Tradelink's services under CETS Scheme. [Paper]
    9.7.99 FC FC approved an increase in commitment from $194,832,000 by $110,070,000 to $304,902,000 under Subhead A008XV EDI system for the implementation of EDI system for cargo manifests in order to improve the efficiency of the trading community and the Government. [Paper]
    12.2.01 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on future arrangement for the provision of Government EDI services after the expiry of Tradelink's exclusive franchise in end 2003. [Paper]
    13.3.01 AUD Director of Audit conducted a value-for-money audit on Government's efforts to promote e-business in Hong Kong. [Report "page 30, paragraphs 4.6 to 4.15"]
    7/01 PAC PAC considered in detail report of the Director of Audit on Government's efforts to promote e-business in Hong Kong. [Report "page 52"]
    10.12.01 CI The Panel discussed with Administration on the proposal to resolve the asset transfer arrangement under CETS Agreement between Government and Tradelink. The Tradelink's franchise would expire on 31.12.03. [Paper]
    18.12.01 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on EDI Service for the Textiles Trader Registration Scheme. [Paper]
    21.12.01 FC FC approved the continuation of the Government's investment in Tradelink after taking into account the changes to be made to the CETS Agreement between the Government and Tradelink. The Administration proposed to amend the CETS Agreement to permit Tradelink to retain the assets due to be transferred to the Government at the end of 2003, in return for Tradelink continuing to provide the exclusive services (but on a non-exclusive basis) after 2003, and reducing or freezing its charges for the exclusive services for the remaining franchise period. [Paper]
    4.2.02 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on upgrading and enhancement of Government's back-end computer system for EDI services. [Paper]
    8.3.02 FC FC approved an increase in commitment from $304,902,000 by $87,320,000 to $392,222,000 under Subhead A008XV EDI system for upgrading the Government's computer systems to improve the delivery of EDI services. [Paper]
    2/03 PAC PAC considered the progress report on Government's efforts to promote e-business in Hong Kong in the Government Minute. [Report "page 2"]
    10.3.03 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on enhancement of the Government's back-end computer system for processing cargo manifests. [Paper]

    The Panel supported the Administration's proposal in principle but had reservation about the urgency of the proposal and its specific benefits. The Administration was requested to reconsider the proposal and provide more detailed information to address members' concerns.
    14.4.03 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on the tender exercise for the provision of front-end Government Electronic Trading Services (GETS) for processing certain official trade-related documents. In essence, the Administration signed a 5-year contract with Global e-Trading Services Ltd (Ge-TS) to deliver and operate two services, inter alia, import and export declaration, and dutiable commodities permit. [Paper]
    12.5.03 CI The Panel followed up the discussion at the meeting held on 10.3.03 on the Administration's proposal to enhance the Government's back-end computer system. In response to the Panel's suggestion and following a review, the Administration decided to shorten the implementation period from 25 months to 21 months. [Paper]
    13.6.03 FC FC approved an increase in commitment from $392,222,000 by $62,947,000 to $455,169,000 under Subhead A008XV EDI system for enhancement of the back-end computer system for processing cargo manifests. [Paper]
    29.12.03 PRESS The Administration announced that with effect from 1.1.04, Ge-TS would provide GETS for the submission of import and export declarations. This marked the introduction of competition in GETS market in Hong Kong. [Press release]
    9.2.04 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on its agreements with Tradelink for the continued provision of GETS after 2003. [Paper]
    23.4.04 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on the proposed arrangement to end the transitional period for electronic submission of air and rail cargo manifests. [Paper]
    14.6.04 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on the measures taken by the Government to maintain fair competition between two GETS service providers. [Paper] [Follow-up paper]
    16.1.07 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on the Government's proposal to implement an electronic customs clearance system for road cargoes. [Paper] [Follow-up paper]
    2.4.07 - The Administration issued a LegCo Brief on "Import and Export (Amendment) Bill 2007". The Amendment Bill seeks to enable the Chief Executive-in-Council to make regulations that provide for the lodgment by electronic means of information in advance relating to cargoes to be imported or exported. [LegCo Brief]
    16.10.07 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on its funding proposal to implement an electronic advance cargo information system for customs clearance of road cargoes (the Road Cargo System). [Paper]
    16.11.07 FC FC approved a new commitment of $177,839,000 for implementing an electronic advance cargo information system for customs clearance of road cargoes. [Paper]
    20.11.07 CI The Panel discussed with the Administration on the proposed arrangements for the provision of GETS after the expiry of the current service contracts in December 2009. [Paper] [Background brief]
    30.1.09 CI The Administration issued the information paper on the outcome of the tender exercise for the provision of Government Electronic Trading Services from January 2010 to December 2016. [Paper]
    17.3.09 CI The Administration briefed the Panel on the replacement of the Air Cargo Clearance System for the Customs and Excise Department. [Paper] [Supplementary information issued in May 2003]
    17.3.09 CI The Panel discussed the subsidiary legislation for implementing the electronic Road Cargo System, an electronic system designed to facilitate customs clearance of road cargoes. [Paper] [Background brief]
    22.5.09 FC FC approved a new commitment of $45,972,000 for replacing the ageing components of the Air Cargo Clearance System for the Customs and Excise Department.[Paper]
    13.5.10 CI The Administration issued an information paper on launching of the electronic Road Cargo System. [Paper]
    9.6.10 CM A motion moved by Hon Andrew LEUNG Kwan-yuen on Hong Kong's co-operation with ASEAN region was passed. [Hansard "page 277 "]


    Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited: http://www.tradelink.com.hk/eng/index.html

    Global e-Trading Services Ltd: http://www.ge-ts.com.hk/en/home.html

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