Hong Kong, New Zealand agree for closer customs cooperation

Hong Kong and New Zealand signed a joint communique on customs, vowing to enhance intelligence analysis and risk management and further their cooperation in customs at a biennial meeting held in Hong Kong Thursday.

The joint cmmunique was signed by Richard Yuen, Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs and Excise, and Martyn Dunne, Comptroller of New Zealand Customs Service.

Under the communique, both sides have agreed to continue with the Immediate Notification Mechanism for prompt exchange of intelligence to combat trans-national customs offenses, including drug trafficking, cigarette smuggling and piracy activities.

Commenting on the close relationship between Hong Kong and New Zealand Customs, Yuen said the two administrations have been maintaining effective cooperation for years and both sides agreed at the meeting to strengthen exchange of knowledge and expertise particularly in the area of intelligence and risk analysis.

Dunne is leading a four-member delegation to attend the sixth Customs Cooperation Conference in Hong Kong.

New Zealand Customs is the first signatory party of a Customs Cooperative Arrangement with Hong Kong Customs in 1991.

Source:Xinhua