Hong Kong Customs holds HKAEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2024 (with photos)
The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) held the Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Certificate Presentation Ceremony 2024 today (November 29) at the Customs Headquarters Building and presented AEO Certificates and Hong Kong AEO Programme Partnership Scheme Awards to Hong Kong AEOs. A signing ceremony of the AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Action Plan between Hong Kong Customs and Lao Customs was also held.
The C&ED at the ceremony presented AEO Certificates to six new and 27 renewed AEOs. The Hong Kong AEO Partnership Awards were also presented to nine enterprises in recognition of their outstanding performance in promoting the Hong Kong AEO Programme. Since the implementation of the Hong Kong AEO Programme in 2012, the number of accredited enterprises has increased to 89.
In addition, witnessed by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, and the Consul General of Laos, Mr Ammala Saenchonghack, the Assistant Commissioner (Excise and Strategic Support) of Customs and Excise, Mr Rudy Hui, and the Deputy Director-General of Lao Customs, Mr Vongvanhpheng Phoumsavanh, signed the Action Plan for the AEO MRA, marking a significant step towards the conclusion of the MRA.
Currently, the C&ED has ratified MRAs with 15 Customs administrations, including Mainland China, India, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, Macao, China, and Bahrain. Under the MRAs, AEOs from the signatory countries or regions enjoy reciprocal trade facilitations including reduced Customs inspection and prioritised clearance. On expansion of the MRA network, the C&ED will continue to accord priority to discussions with the Belt and Road economies, particularly member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as African and South American countries.
About 150 guests, including Consuls General of Kazakhstan, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand, Honorary Consuls of Bahrain and Iceland, Vice Consul General of Saudi Arabia, customs attachés, representatives from Hong Kong AEO companies, trade associations, and industry stakeholders, attended the ceremony today to witness the ongoing efforts and achievements of the C&ED in enhancing trade facilitation and fostering international customs co-operation.
​Moreover, the Lao Customs delegation visited Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (November 28) to understand the express cargo clearance operations of Hong Kong Customs.
