The Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) today (March 13) invited the construction sectors who require import of natural sand, including silica sand and quartz sand from the Mainland, to submit relevant application through the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD).
The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the General Administration of Customs (GAC) jointly announced late last year that an export ban on natural sand, including silica sand and quartz sand, would be enacted on March 1 this year.
As the measures would have significant impact on the construction industry in Hong Kong, ETWB consulted with the MoC on the trading of natural sand between the Mainland and Hong Kong, with a view to maintaining the supply of natural sand to Hong Kong. After a series of discussion, both sides reached consensus and signed the Mainland and Hong Kong Trade Co-operation Mechanism on Natural Sand under the framework of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) on February 26 this year.
After exchanging views and implementing trial runs with the trade and relevant departments, the ETWB and CEDD have formulated measures on management of Mainland natural sand imported under the co-operation mechanism. Details of the measures and application form can be downloaded from CEDD’s website www.cedd.gov.hk.
The MoC and GAC jointly announced yesterday that natural sand exports to Hong Kong would be resumed on March 25. To ensure that the trade will not be adversely affected during the transitional period, the governments of both sides have made arrangements to meet possible special demand of sand. Construction sectors, who require import of natural sand, including silica sand and quartz sand, from the Mainland can submit relevant application through the CEDD.
Ends/Tuesday, March 13, 2007