ENG-1993 — Page 138

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Since 1979, the department has represented the Hong Kong Government as an entity in the Agreement on Government Procurement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Under the agreement, except for special requirements, all purchases exceeding Special Drawing Rights 130 000 ($1.37 million in 1993) are widely advertised and open to competi- tive bidding internationally. All purchases, ranging from simple office sundries to complex computer systems, are made entirely on the basis of the 'best value for money', regardless of the source of supply. Due to its open procurement policy, goods and services are purchased from over 40 countries and some 4 100 registered local and overseas suppliers.

To ensure continuity of supply, the department maintains goods, which are generally required by other departments, in its main stores in Hong Kong and Kowloon and two sub-stores specially established to serve the government's engineering workshops. It also seconds supplies staff to other departments to ensure a professional approach to acquisition and maintenance of stores and equipment.

In 1992-93, the department placed orders of a total value of HK$2,593 million. The major sources of supply were the United States of America, the United Kingdom, China, Germany, Japan and Hong Kong itself. Major items of purchase included computer systems, rations and pharmaceuticals.

In the purchase of goods and equipment, the department always takes into consideration environmental protection factors.

Intellectual Property

The Intellectual Property Department, which includes the Trade Marks and Patents Registries, provides a focal point for the development of the Hong Kong intellectual property regime.

During the year, two consultative documents on proposals for the reform of both the trade marks and patents law, respectively, were issued. In addition, a bill was introduced in the Legislative Council to provide specific statutory protection for the layout-designs (topographies) of integrated circuits in Hong Kong.

Trade Marks and Patents

The Trade Marks Registry is a registry of original registration. Trade marks are registered under the Trade Marks Ordinance, the provisions of which are similar to trade marks legislation in the United Kingdom. Since March 1992, it has been possible to register trade marks for services as well as goods. The registration procedure is laid down in the Trade Marks Rules, and the prescribed forms may be obtained free from the Trade Marks Registry. Every mark, even if it is already registered in another country, must satisfy the requirements of the ordinance before it may be accepted for registration. During 1993, 14 280 applications were received, 12 043 of which were in respect of goods and 2 237 in respect of services. Overall, 8 260 applications, including those made in previous years, were accepted and allowed to be advertised. A total of 5 720 marks were registered in 1993, compared with 5 500 in 1992. The principal origin of applicants was as follows:

USA Hong Kong Japan UK

Germany

1 408

1 240

France Italy

321

285

647

Switzerland

183

347

Taiwan

166

328

Netherlands

113

107