On July 2, 2010, after several years of drafting and public
consultation, Hong Kong unveiled its draft competition bill. The
bill, which will be introduced in the legislature on July 14, 2010,
would prohibit anticompetitive agreements and concerted practices,
as well as any abuse of a "significant" market position
that has the purpose or effect of preventing, restricting or
distorting competition in Hong Kong. The proposed legislation also
creates a competition commission to investigate complaints and
bring public enforcement proceedings, as well as a competition
tribunal to adjudicate cases. As currently drafted, the bill does
not include comprehensive merger procedures, though there is a
merger rule that would apply only to licensees in the
telecommunications industry. If enacted, the legislation would be
implemented in 2012.
