The Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau has joined 11 Asia-Pacific agencies to become a founding signatory of the Seoul-Melbourne Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Countering Spam.

The memorandum will encourage closer co-operation in minimising spam originating in or passing through each country and region.

The signatories will encourage the exchange of information on technical, educational and policy solutions in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of each jurisdiction.

Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang said spam accounts for over 60% of emails in Hong Kong. Among them, only 5% originates from local sources.

Under the MoU, co-operation will focus on the:

* establishment of channels for exchange of information on spam, anti-spam measures and emerging issues;

* exchange of delegations and visits; and,

* encouragement of liaison between industry and Government organisations to promote areas of interest and co-operation.