Hong Kong Signs MOUs with Cambodia and Malaysia to Enhance Intellectual Property Collaboration and Drive Innovation

Hong Kong signs MOUs with Cambodia and Malaysia to promote intellectual property co-operation and development

The Intellectual Property Department (IPD) signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on December 4 separately with the Department of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia and the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia to establish a framework for collaboration in the field of intellectual property (IP) aimed at driving innovation and economic development.

Witnessed by the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, and the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, Mr Ouk Prachea, the Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, signed an MOU with the Director of the Department of Intellectual Property of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, Mr Suon Vichea.

Later in the afternoon, Mr Wong signed a separate MOU with the Director General of the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia, Mrs Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff.

The two MOUs were signed on the sidelines of the Business of Intellectual Property (BIP) Asia Forum held in Hong Kong with an aim to deepen Hong Kong's co-operation with Cambodia and Malaysia in areas such as the creation, protection, management and commercialisation of IP, and enhance the critical role of IP in driving innovation and creativity, as well as in seizing business opportunities.

Under the MOUs, Hong Kong and the two places will engage in diverse forms of collaboration, such as fostering the exchange of IP-related information, enhancing personnel training and capacity building, and organising seminars and conferences to boost professional capabilities in IP businesses.

"Hong Kong enjoys the distinctive advantage of having strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the 'one country, two systems' principle. Our business environment is highly market-oriented and internationalised, underpinned by the rule of law, with a robust and effective IP system in place. The IPD looks forward to joining hands with the IP authorities of Cambodia and Malaysia to strengthen co-operation in the field of IP. Sharing a common vision, we are jointly committed to leveraging the IP system to encourage industries to create and innovate, and promote economic development," Mr Wong said.

Jointly organised by the Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the BIP Asia Forum is an annual IP flagship event in the region that brings together IP professionals and leaders from Asia and around the world. This year's forum was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on December 4 and 5 under the theme "Leverage IP to finance business growth", featuring over 100 renowned speakers. They included senior officials from the China National Intellectual Property Administration and the World Intellectual Property Organization, as well as speakers from the IP authorities of the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Hong Kong signs MOUs with Cambodia and Malaysia to promote intellectual property co-operation and development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong signs MOUs with Cambodia and Malaysia to promote intellectual property co-operation and development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong signs MOUs with Cambodia and Malaysia to promote intellectual property co-operation and development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong signs MOUs with Cambodia and Malaysia to promote intellectual property co-operation and development Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (March 3) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

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