HONG KONG, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau Wednesday reiterated the Hong Kong government's commitment to safeguarding the rights of consumers and trademark owners.

She told lawmakers Wednesday that a multi-pronged approach, involving law enforcement, publicity and co-operation with trademark owners, has been adopted to ensure goods sold are genuine.

In the past three years the Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong has acted on 2,834 counterfeit goods cases. The items seized included clothing, leather goods, watches and parts, pharmaceutical products, and electrical, electronic and computer products.

Nearly 1,700 people have been prosecuted during the period, seeing jail sentences of up to two years and fines of up to 475, 000 HK dollars. Lau said the government action has been effective, keeping counterfeit goods sales under control.

"Through pursuing flexible strategies and measures, the government will continue to take actions to safeguard Hong Kong's reputation as a shoppers' paradise and enhance consumer confidence," she added. (7.8 HK dollar = 1 U.S. dollar)
                                                                                                           Source: Xinhua