The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will pursue a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (Note 1) with Australia. In this connection, it invites comments and suggestions from interested parties with a view to assisting the Government in formulating its strategies and positions.
It is envisaged that the FTA with Australia will include, among others, the following key elements -
Hong Kong does not apply any tariff on imports. Australia's average applied tariff rate is 2.5% (Note 5). Under the FTA with Australia, we shall seek to agree on early elimination or reduction of tariffs for products of Hong Kong origin.
Views sought: we invite views on which sectors Hong Kong should particularly focus on in tariff negotiations with Australia.
Under the FTA negotiations, the two sides will seek to agree on a set of simple and transparent rules of origin to facilitate trade in goods between Hong Kong and Australia. It is envisaged that both sides will also draw up implementation details of the origin rules, including the documentation requirements for products to substantiate claim of origin and preferential tariffs on importation.
Views sought: we invite views on the origin rules under the FTA with Australia as well as the implementation aspects of such rules.
In the negotiations, we aim to seek better market access or more predictability for services and service suppliers of Hong Kong in Australia.
Views sought: we invite views on -
We also welcome comments and inputs on other matters relating to services trade (Note 7) with Australia.
Hong Kong is an investment hub. In 2015, our FDI inflow and outflow ranked 2nd and 9th in the world (Note 8). Hong Kong will seek to create a more favourable investment environment to facilitate mutual investment flows with Australia.
Views sought: we invite views on improvements that should be sought from Australia to its policies on, and treatments of, investments from Hong Kong.
The FTA negotiations may also cover, among others, reduction of non-tariff barriers, customs facilitation procedures, intellectual property rights, competition, government procurement, as well as legal and institutional arrangements including a mechanism for settlement of disputes.
Views sought: we invite views on the above subjects and any other particular areas or measures which Hong Kong should focus on.
Interested parties are invited to send in their views and suggestions in writing by 27 May 2017 by mail, fax, or e-mail as indicated below. For enquiries, you are welcome to contact Mr. Benson BIN at 3403 6114 or email: fta@tid.gov.hk.
Mailing address: | Europe Division Trade and Industry Department Room 1325, 13/F Trade and Industry Tower 3 Concorde Road Kowloon City Hong Kong |
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Fax Number: | 2789 9761 / 2789 2491 |
E-mail address: | fta@tid.gov.hk |
Trade and Industry Department
The Government of the HKSAR
27 April 2017