The central government is taking measures to help Hong Kong businesses tap the mainland market, as external demand weakens amid the global financial crisis. China's Commerce Minister Chen Deming said yesterday that the central government would enable Hong Kong-funded companies engaged in the processing trade to sell their export-oriented products on the mainland. He spoke at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

As many such companies were registered in Hong Kong or other regions outside the mainland, they should take time to go through certain procedures, said Chen.

These companies should also repay customs rebates on imported equipment and materials before selling their products on the mainland, he said.

Chen, however, said the Ministry of Commerce has asked local bureaus to simplify and speed up the process.

To boost sale of Hong Kong goods on the mainland, the two sides would each send trade promotion teams to conduct negotiations at an appropriate time, he said.

The ministry intends to organize a procurement delegation to the Guangzhou trade fair in April, he said.

Xinhua

(HK Edition 03/11/2009 page1)