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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Press Release 2009

Revised Strategic Commodities Control List to take effect Feb 13
Friday, January 9, 2009

The Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations (Amendment of Schedule 1) Order 2008 will come into operation on February 13, 2009 (Friday).

"Hong Kong has been closely following the control thresholds adopted by the international non-proliferation regimes when implementing strategic trade control. When these regimes introduce changes to their control lists, Hong Kong will follow suit where appropriate," a spokesman for the Trade and Industry Department (TID) said.

"The current exercise updates Hong Kong's strategic commodities control list to reflect the latest revisions adopted in the control lists of the various international non-proliferation regimes, i.e. Wassenaar Arrangement, the Australia Group, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime", the spokesman added. 

"The major changes involve the relaxation of control over particular electronic components and devices with cryptographic function, including analogue-to-digital converter integrated circuits with resolution of 12 bits or more (usable in commercial applications such as cellular systems, broadband systems and digital radio systems) and certain portable or mobile radiotelephones and similar client wireless devices with cryptographic function (including portable digital assistant device and pocket personal computer for professional uses such as health care)," the spokesman said.

Under Hong Kong's legislative framework, the import and export of strategic commodities is subject to licensing control by the Director-General of Trade and Industry. "Such control helps maintain the confidence of technology supplying countries in our control system, thereby ensuring Hong Kong's continued access to high-technology products," the spokesman said. 

Traders may visit the website of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (www.gov.hk) to access the Order.

Enquiries can be made to the Strategic Trade Controls Branch of the TID by telephone at 2398 5587 or by email at stc@tid.gov.hk.

The TID will inform traders of the details of the amended Schedule through its circular and general advisory service. 

Ends