Customer Liaison Group on Trade Matters
Background Information
- Introduction
The Census and Statistics Department is committed to the provision of efficient and courteous services to the public. To further improve the standard of services relating to trade matters, the Customer Liaison Group on Trade Matters has been established since September 1994 as an additional channel of communication between the Department and its customers.
- Role
The Group is to provide a platform for direct exchange of views between the Census and Statistics Department and its customers on operational and service matters relating to the lodgement and processing of import/export declarations, cargo manifests and related trade documents, and services relating to access to and uses of merchandise trade statistics.
The Group does not involve itself with policy issues. Its focus is on improvement in the delivery of services by the Department.
- Status
The Group is non-statutory and functions as a public liaison group.
- Objectives
The objectives of the Group are :
- to provide a platform for the Census and Statistics Department and its customers to exchange views on the Department's services relating to trade matters;
- to enhance customers' understanding of the Department's operations and services; and
- to solicit members' views on improvements on the Department's services in this area.
- Composition
- Chairperson
A member of the directorate of the Census and Statistics Department.
- Members
The Commissioner for Census and Statistics appoints some 20 frequent users of the Department's services relating to trade matters to serve as members of the Group for a term of two years. They comprise traders frequently submitting import and export declarations; transportation companies submitting cargo manifests; and users of merchandise trade statistics. Members are appointed by invitation. They are expected to represent their companies to participate in the Group. The Chairperson may invite staff of the Department to attend the meetings of the Group as and when appropriate.
- Secretary
A staff member of the Census and Statistics Department who is responsible for trade-related services.
- Terms of service
Members are expected to serve a term of two years.
- Meetings
- Form
An agenda is issued before each meeting to provide focus for discussion. Members are invited to make suggestions to be included in the agenda. The Chairperson may, as and when appropriate, invite staff of the Department to attend these meetings to exchange views with members and to explain the services provided and the operational procedures involved.
- Frequency
Meetings are normally held at half-yearly intervals.
- Venue and time
Meetings are held at the Census and Statistics Department within office hours.
- Language
Meetings are conducted in Cantonese, unless otherwise required by members.
- Record
Subjects discussed and follow-up actions required are recorded in note form and distributed to members and the relevant parties concerned. There will be a biennial report on the achievements and deliberations of the Group.
- Remuneration
Participation is entirely voluntary. No remuneration of any form will be made to members for their service and attendance at meetings of the Group.
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