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The Financial Secretary has appointed six new members to the Standing Committee on Company Law Reform (SCCLR) for a two-year term starting from February 1, 2005.

They are Ms Teresa Ko, Mr Godfrey Lam, Mrs Vanessa Stott, Mr Carlson Tong, Mr Paul Winkelmann and Mr Patrick Wong.

At the same time, the incumbent Chairman, Mr Benjamin Yu, SC, and six other non-official members have been re-appointed for one or two years starting from February 1, 2005. They are Mr Randolph Sullivan, Mr Peter Wong, Mr William Tam, Mr Michael Scales, Mr John Poon and Mr David Stannard.

"With the professional background and expertise of its members, the SCCLR will continue its work, with a view to maintaining Hong Kong's position as an international business and financial centre, well-supported by companies legislation of an international standard and responsive to the needs of the business community," a Government spokesman said today (January 31).

"We are also grateful to the five outgoing members, Mr Roger Best, JP; Mr Winston Poon, SC; Mr Alvin Wong; Mr Richard Thornhill and Professor Stephen Cheung for the invaluable contributions they have made to the work of the committee over the few past years," the spokesman added.

The SCCLR was set up in 1984 to advise the Financial Secretary on amendments to the Companies Ordinance and other related legislation as and when experience show them to be necessary. Members of the SCCLR include representatives of relevant Government departments and regulators, as well as personalities from the relevant sectors or professions such as accountancy, legal and company secretarial.

Ends/Monday, January 31, 2005

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