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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, speaking to the media after a meeting with the Consumer Council today (Octorber 9):
Reporter: Which aspects of the law need to be amended?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: We believe that we should be able to make legislative amendments to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance which at the moment only covers products and goods but not services.
Reporter: How do you see the problem and what loopholes in the existing law need to be plugged?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: I think consumer protection is something which we need to do constantly for the interest of the public. At the moment, the Trade Descriptions Ordinance only covers goods but not services. We believe if we have a legislative framework which clearly defines what will be regarded as unfair trade practices, that will go a long way towards meeting the objective of consumer protection.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Friday, October 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:32
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