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The Government announced today (January 23) the appointment of four new independent directors to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) for two years with effect from January 22, 2008.
Mrs Pamela Chan Wong Shui is the former chief executive of the Consumer Council and a former member of the Advisory Committee on Travel Agents (ACTA).
Mr Kam Pok-man is the group financial controller of Jardine Matheson Ltd, a former member of the Travel Industry Compensation Fund Management Board, and past president of the former Hong Kong Society of Accountants.
Mr Li Kwok-ying is a solicitor and a member of the Legislative Council.
Mr Tang Kwai-nang is the chairman emeritus (Asia Pacific) of The Nielsen Company, the former chairman of ACTA and a former member of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
"The four newly appointed independent directors have extensive experience in community service, and are well-respected in their respective areas of expertise. We believe that they will assist the TIC to drive continuous improvement in strengthening trade self-regulation and protecting consumer interest, enhancing transparency, and ensuring the long-term and healthy development of the travel trade," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said.
The TIC introduced a number of measures in late 2007 to improve the performance of its self-regulatory functions. These measures are as follows -
(a) the number of independent directors of the TIC board of directors is increased from eight to 12;
(b) the convenors of the TIC committees dealing with disciplinary matters must be independent directors; and
(c) the majority of the membership of these committees must be non-trade members.
"The new independent directors can serve TIC's disciplinary committees as convenors or members so as to enhance the independence and impartiality of TIC's disciplinary process regarding shops, agents and guides," the spokesman said.
According to the memorandum and articles of association of the TIC, the TIC board consists of a chairman, 16 trade directors and 12 independent directors who must not be members of the travel trade and are appointed by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. With the appointment of these four new independent directors, the TIC board will have 12 independent directors as follows-
Mrs Pamela Chan Wong Shui
Mr Antonio Chu Lok-sang
Mr Kam Pok-man
Prof Lee Kam-hon
Ms Teresa Ko Yuk-yin
Dr Law Cheung-kwok
Mr Johnny Leung Ka-kui
Mr Li Kwok-ying
Mr Ma Ho-fai
Mr Tang Kwai-nang
Mr David Tsoi
Mr Alvin Wong Tak-wai
As for the other 16 trade directors, eight are chairmen or representatives of TIC's eight association members and the remaining eight are elected by TIC member agents at the annual general meeting.
Ends/Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:26
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