Ninety-four applications have now been received for products to enjoy zero tariffs for the next phase of tariffs elimination, the Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau says. They include food and beverage, textile and clothing, metal, plastic, machinery, electronic and optical products.

Since January 1, 374 Hong Kong-origin goods can be exported to the Mainland tariff-free under CEPA. The Mainland will apply zero tariffs to other products on January 1, 2006, upon application by local manufacturers and upon CEPA origin rules being agreed and met.

The deadline for applications on additional products to enjoy zero tariffs is April 30.

A consolidated list of requests will be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce before June 1. Discussions on the timetable for implementing the second phase of zero tariffs as well as the origin rules for the additional products will also be held.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang met a group of mooncake traders and manufacturers to hear their views on CEPA today.

Led by legislator Tommy Cheung, the group proposed that mooncakes be included in the list of products for the next phase of tariff elimination.