For the first time since the Competition Ordinance came into effect, the Hong Kong Competition Commission (HKCC) has commenced court proceedings against a supplier for resale price.
December 22, 2020
The substantive provisions of Hong Kong’s Competition Ordinance (“Ordinance”) came into force in December 2015. This note looks at the main achievements in the first five years and some of the challenges laying ahead.
The main achievements of the Hong Kong Competition Commission (“Commission”) are first and foremost building up from scratch a competent and trustworthy institution. The Commission has hired seasoned enforcers from overseas with impeccable reputations which has brought immediate credibility to the Commission. It has embarked on a wide range of educational activities, including seminars, advertising and publishing guidelines detailing its enforcement priorities and interpretation of the Ordinance. The Commission has also adopted a world-class leniency programme to facilitate the prosecution of cartels, its main priority. The Commission proceeded to win its first case in court thereby confirming that it is a force to be reckoned with.