In first three days, 10 apply for approval to sell goods tariff-free over the border
Hong Kong manufacturers' initial response to the implementation of Cepa has been slow. But medicine producers have been quick to seek benefits from the free-trade pact.
The Trade and Industry Department and five business groups have been handling applications by companies wishing to be certified under the agreement since Tuesday.
On Thursday, the department received six applications, two from drugs firms. By yesterday, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce had received eight applications from medicine makers, said its chief executive, Eden Woon Yi-teng.
One medicine maker won approval for tariff-free exports on Thursday - making it the first manufacturer to be certified under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.
Cepa is expected to boost the economy by allowing Hong Kong companies to export 374 categories of goods to the mainland tariff-free, provided at least some of the manufacturing is done in the city.
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries are among the industry groups handling applications.