ENG-1999 — Page 160

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

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participants, from overseas as well as from the HKSAR, attended this two-day seminar held in Hong Kong from November 4 to 5.

In 1999, the secondary schools visit programme targeted some 83 secondary schools and 33 225 students. The 'Get Real' campaign and the 'I Pledge' campaign which aimed at raising awareness of intellectual property rights among Hong Kong people were launched in August. In addition, the 'Inventors' Millennium Vision' was launched in October in collaboration with the Hong Kong Inventors Association.

Participation in International Organisations

Staff from the Intellectual Property Department regularly participate in international and regional intellectual property symposia and conferences to keep abreast of international developments.

New Legislation

The Trade Marks Bill aimed at modernising Hong Kong's trade mark law in line with international developments was introduced into the Legislative Council in May. New legislation to include copyright piracy and trade mark counterfeiting offences under Schedule 1 to the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance was also proposed during the year.

Consumer Council

The Consumer Council is a statutory body established in April 1974 for protecting and promoting the interests of consumers of goods and services and purchasers of immovable property. It comprises a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and 20 Members appointed by the Government from a wide spectrum of the community. It forms committees and working groups to deal with specific consumer-protection tasks.

Council activities carried out through the Council Office as its executive arm range from developing new consumer protection and empowerment initiatives to conducting studies on consumer policy as well as the state of competition and trade practices of various business and professional sectors. The council tests products, conducts in-depth studies and surveys and examines and responds to consultation papers and reports on consumer-related issues. It also mediates in consumer disputes, disseminates consumer information and advice and organises consumer education activities.

The office is headed by a Chief Executive with eight functional divisions and a staff of 128. Besides a centralised telephone hotline centre in its headquarters, there are also 12 Consumer Advice Centres in various districts throughout Hong Kong.

As an advocate of competition, the council works closely with the Government's Competition Policy Advisory Group (COMPAG) by monitoring and reviewing business practices in various sectors. During the year, the council examined a number of measures and practices involving competition issues and forwarded the results of its analysis to the COMPAG. A number of submissions were also made to various government departments and industry groups on matters affecting the interests of consumers, following complaints or requests for comments on consultation papers. To facilitate the establishment of self-regulatory regimes for enhancing competition, the council developed a Benchmark Code of Practice for companies, professional and