The market for the convention and exhibition sector in Hong Kong is free and open, with no barriers, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau told legislators today.

In response to legislators today, she said not only market share should be used to determine whether there is monopoly in the industry, but other factors to be considered include whether there are market entry barriers, fair competition, and abuse of market positions and obstructions to free trade, which have impaired economic efficiency to the detriment of Hong Kong's overall interests.

The Trade Development Council ran 26 trade shows last year and 22 in 2008, representing 29% and 25% of the total trade shows in those two years, showing it has no monopoly in the market.

On the non-competition clause in the operation agreement between the council and the operator of the Convention & Exhibition Centre, Mrs Lau said the clause does not prohibit the council from organising exhibitions at venues other than the centre.

She said the council has organised more than 20 exhibitions at AsiaWorld-Expo. The council will stage four more exhibitions at the venue this year.