Download - ACCC Ci Consumer Group 29 Oct Connie Lau
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Forum DiscussionConsumer Groups and Government:Working together, market intelligence
Ms. Connie LAUChief Executive
Hong Kong Consumer Council
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Characteristic of HKCC
No competing government agency
Created under legislation
Advisory body
Unpaid Members appointed by government
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HKCC Statutory Functions
Protect & promote consumer interests
Receive & examine consumer complaints
Provide advice to government & business
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HKCC – Independent Organization
Goverment Address consumer issues No financial burden Avoid potential political fallout
Consumer Business
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HKCC – Independent Organization
Only government involvement
Subvention
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HKCC - Major Successes Promote advances in consumer
protection legislation
Change government policy that favour businesses e.g. banking interest rate cartel
Advocate for general competition law
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Working together
HKCC Conduct research Make recommendations Lobby for change
Government Take action when necessary
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Marketplace intelligence
HKCC - primary consumer research centre Computerized Complaints database Product price surveys
Undertaken on regular basis Product testing
Published in HKCC’s monthly magazine & website
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How to empower consumers?
Information is power
Product testing Industry research Competition studies
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How to empower consumers?
Information to : government businesses consumers
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How to empower consumers?
Working with government
Education – Consumer Culture Study Awards
Finance – Increasing bank branch closures
Food safety
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How to empower consumers?
Regular Press Comment
- Monthly, at release of magazine
- Covered by TV, radio, print media
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How to empower consumers?
Regular Press CommentInvite Government bureaucrats to
attend
Emphasize co-operative approach Enhance Council’s status Opportunity for Government
bureaucrats to participate
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How to empower consumers?
Enroll services of entertainment industry
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Win-Win Approach
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THANK YOU !