ENG-2007 — Page 175

Commerce and Industry 127

Human Resources, Technical Education and Industrial Training

Success in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century depends heavily upon the availability of talent and skilled manpower at all levels. High-level education and training are provided by the tertiary education institutions. The Vocational Training Council provides vocational education, training and professional development. It also administers the New Technology Training Scheme which provides financial assistance to employers for training their staff in new technologies that are not yet widely applied locally but the absorption and application of which will benefit Hong Kong significantly. The Clothing Industry Training Authority runs two training centres for the clothing and footwear industries.

The Government oversees the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals. The scheme aims to attract talented people and professionals from the Mainland to work in Hong Kong to meet manpower needs and enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness in the world market.

Consumer Protection

Consumer Council

The Consumer Council is a statutory body established in 1974 to protect and promote the interests of consumers of goods and services and purchasers, mortgagors and lessees of immovable property. The council comprises 22 members appointed by the Government from a wide spectrum of the community.

The council's key activities include testing and survey programmes, complaint and advice services, consumer policy studies, publications and consumer education initiatives.

The council's testing and survey programmes seek to provide consumers with objective and up-to-date information so that they can make informed choices. During the year, 42 product tests, 16 survey projects and 47 in-depth studies were completed, covering a wide range of product and service areas from dehumidifiers and air conditioners to food (trans fats content), cosmetics, as well as medical and financial services. Popular electronic products such as digital cameras, mobile phones and MP3 players were also regularly tested. Products were tested mainly for safety, performance, convenience, durability and environmental impact.

The council provides complaint and advisory services to the community through. telephone hotlines, eight Consumer Advice Centres and the council's website. It acts as a mediator between consumers and the traders concerned. During the year, 38 521 consumer complaints and 168 850 consumer enquiries were received. Problems with telecommunications services and pay television services continued to top the list of consumer complaints.

The council also monitors trade practices and competition-related issues that may have implications for consumer welfare. During the year, it examined issues such as regulation of health maintenance organisations and implementation of digital terrestrial television broadcasting. It also made 23 submissions in response to public consultation on subjects such as maintaining Hong Kong's economic drive through