:
:
In
recent years there has been
both
an increasing
emand and
an increasing need for consumer protection. Much
has been achieved by the Consumer Council through the
dissemination of information and advice, and the investigation
of complaints; and by encouraging business and professional bodies to establish codes of practice. Where, however, these
measures prove inadequate, and consumers are unable to protect themselves, the Government will, where appropriate, intervene to improve the protection of their interests. The need has been recognised to provide members of the travelling public
with some degree of protection against
agents. Legislation is accordingly now being drafted to
provide for the control and regulation of the outbound travel
business through registration and licensing. A Bill is also
being drafted to provide a statutory framework for hire
purchase transactions. The aim is to prevent a vendor imposing
unduly onerous conditions on a purchaser.
25.
(a) Trade and Industry
(i)
Trade
fraudulent travel
I have no need to remind the Council of the heavy dependence of our economy on trade, and on the economies of our
major export markets, in particular the United States of America. In recent years we achieved sustained real growth in the value of our trade, although in 1982 there was a decline of
2.6% in the value of our domestic exports, and of 2.3% in the
value of our imports. Since the beginning of this year, our
trade, particularly our exports, has once again shown an encouraging growth in real terms. If the recovery of the world economy from the recent recession
recession is maintained, Hong Kong is
well placed to take advantage of the resulting increased opportunities for trade.
9
/26.
The