Macau Yearbook 2013 - Macao Yearbook

Macao Yearbook 2013arrangement between two separate tariff zones of a single country that is similar to a free-tradeagreement. In conformity with WTO rules and with the approval of the State Council, consultationsfor establishing CEPA were initiated in June 2003 in Beijing. On 17 October 2003, the MacaoSAR Government and the Ministry of Commerce signed the general principles of CEPA and itssix annexes, namely: the Arrangement for Implementation of Zero Tariff for Trade in Goods, Rulesof Origin for Trade in Goods, Procedures for the Issuing and Verification of Certificates of Origin,Specific Commitments on Liberalization of Trade in Services, Definition of “Service Supplier”and Related Requirements, and Trade and Investment Facilitation. CEPA became effectiveon 1 January 2004.Between 2004 and 2012, mainland China and Macao signed nine Supplementary Protocols toCEPA. Essentially, the three broad areas involved are: trade in merchandise, services trade, andtrade and investment facilitation. Regarding merchandise trade: since 2006, all goods originatingfrom Macao that are imported into mainland China have enjoyed zero tariffs, after the standards onplaces of origin are stipulated. At the end of 2012, a total of 1,260 types of goods had set standardson place of origin. (There were 273 in 2004, when the measure was first implemented.) Regardingservices: mainland China has relaxed its market entry requirements for Macao service providersin various industries. Since 1 January, 2013, mainland China has opened 48 areas and formulated318 measures for Macao, creating great room for collaboration and an extensive platform for thecooperative development of both Macao and mainland China.Regarding facilitation of trade and investment: Macao and mainland China have beguncooperation in 10 fields. These are:1. Trade and investment promotion;2. Facilitation of customs clearance;3. Merchandise inspection, fauna and flora quarantine, food safety, health and communicabledisease inspection and quarantine, accreditation and standardised management;4. E-commerce;5. Transparency of laws and regulations;6. Cooperation between SMEs;7. Cooperation with different industries, including Chinese medicine, MICE, cultural industry,environmental protection, and creative technology;8. Protection of intellectual property rights;9. Cooperation between brands; and10. Cooperation in education.The Economic Services Bureau joined hands with the Legal Affairs Bureau and the MacaoTrade and Investment Promotion Institute to launch the official CEPA website (www.cepa.gov.mo). This aims to provide a convenient channel for industrial and commercial enterprises and thepublic to obtain information about laws and regulations regarding trade and investment between164