The Government today signed two agreements with the General Administration of Customs in an effort further to prevent smuggling and boost trade in goods and services with the mainland.

The two agreements signed today are: the “Cooperation Arrangement between the General Administration of Customs and the Macao SAR Government on the Prevention and Fight against Smuggling in Waters Managed by the Macao SAR SAR and within Macao’s Land Boundaries”; and the “Cooperation Memorandum between the General Administration of Customs and the Macao SAR Government on Origin of Transhipment Cargo in the Macao SAR under Free Trade Agreements”.

The agreement on prevention of smuggling enables Macao’s overseeing agencies to establish closer ties with counterparts on the mainland. The establishment of a mechanism for regular and emergency communications between the relevant authorities should prove an effective way of minimising the risk of smuggling between Macao and Guangdong Province. Such an agreement also helps further to protect legitimate trade in goods and services between Guangdong and Macao.

The other agreement aims at simplifying clearance measures for transhipment cargo in Macao, without the need to clear such cargo twice, i.e., under the respective regulatory regimes of Macao and of the mainland. This measure also allows Macao and mainland counterparts to strengthen information sharing and to accelerate transhipment cargo clearance procedures.

The two agreements are part of the strategy to help diversify Macao’s economy and to help Macao’s economic development integrate further with the country’s development.

The two agreements were signed today at Government Headquarters by the Director-General of the Macao Customs Service, Mr Vong Iao Lek; and the Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Mr Yu Guangzhou.

Officials attending today’s ceremony included: the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On; the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak; the Chief-of-Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; and the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Security, Ms Cheong Ioc Ieng.

In addition, the Chief Executive held a meeting at Santa Sancha Palace with the Minister of the General Administration of Customs, Mr Yu Guangzhou, to exchange views on strengthening cooperation in customs matters and on work relating to management of Macao’s waters.

Video:【新聞局】海關關長黃有力談海關總署與特區政府簽署的合作安排和備忘錄

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