Supporting start-ups on tech frontier
The inaugural Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) Incubation Programme offers tailored funding and support to help start-ups at different growth stages scale up, with 108 firms selected in the scheme's first cohort.
The HSITP Chief Executive Officer, Mr Vincent Ma, spoke to news.gov.hk about the selection process, while a representative from a participating technology company discussed the programme's impact on its expansion.
The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature/ from today (July 19) in text and video format.
Photo source: news.gov.hk
Hong Kong Customs arrests financial manager and administrative manager of beauty company
Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation today (August 19) to combat unfair trade practices by beauty companies. An investigation was launched into a retailer suspected of engaging in aggressive commercial practices when selling skincare products and beauty devices. During the operation, a financial manager and an administrative manager of the company involved were arrested for suspected violations of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (the Ordinance). The investigation is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Hong Kong Customs, Photo source: reference image
Customs once again appeals to customers who suspect they have been subjected to such unfair trade practices to contact Customs as soon as possible.
Customs reminds traders that they must comply with the requirements of the Ordinance, and advises consumers to patronize reputable merchants. Consumers should remain calm before purchasing services or products. If they do not fully understand the product details and prices, or do not wish to make a purchase, they should firmly refuse to sign any sales documents or make any payments.
The beauty company implicated in the case, Photo source: threads image
Under the Ordinance, any trader who uses harassment, coercion, or undue influence to restrict or impair a consumer's freedom of choice or conduct, thereby causing the consumer to make a transactional decision, commits the offense of aggressive commercial practices. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Customs has always attached great importance to consumer rights protection and has zero tolerance for unfair trade practices, pledging to continue its stringent enforcement action against unscrupulous traders.
Members of the public who encounter unfair trade practices or suspect a trader has violated the Ordinance should report it as soon as possible by calling the Customs' 24-hour hotline at 182 8080, or via the crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or the online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
The beauty company implicated in the case, Photo source: threads image
