Electoral reform

Articles: competition

Hong Kong's Casino
Never mind Lantau, Hong Kong does have a fully operational casino with a legally protected monopoly. We comment on the M-chip craze and the hypocrisy that permits the public to take risks in the markets and on property, but prohibits risk-taking in other forms of gambling outside of the Jockey Club monopoly. We call for liberalisation of the gambling sector. (24-Nov-04)

Government Backs Cartel
In a move which highlights the fallacy of its claim to promote a free market economy, the HK Government has told HKEx, whose board it controls, to delay plans to scrap the minimum commission rule. We look at the wider aspects of what this says for competition policy in Hong Kong, and at the way vested interests dominate the debate on market reforms when investor representation is absent. We call again for the government to adopt the HAMS Proposal. (24-Jan-02)

Hong Kong Needs a Competition Law
In this piece on economic governance, Webb-site.com looks at the pressing need for Hong Kong to establish a comprehensive competition law and an authority with investigatory powers, in line with accepted practice in most developed markets. The government-appointed Consumer Council first called for this in 1996, and it is a necessary condition for a World-class City. An edited version of this article first appeared in the Financial Times today in a debate with HKSAR Financial Secretary Antony Leung. (13-Jul-01)