Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau has reiterated the Government's commitment to safeguarding the rights of consumers and trademark owners.

She told lawmakers today 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 & Excise Department 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. Mrs Lau said 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.