2024-12-18

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) today (December 18) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Competition Commission to enhance collaboration in combating corruption and anti-competitive conduct, reinforcing Hong Kong’s international reputation as a clean society and a level-playing field. The two parties also hosted the first joint operational training to gear up for greater synergy in future enforcement collaborations.

The ICAC and the Competition Commission have maintained close co-operation in combatting corruption and tender-rigging in building maintenance and management. In April and August 2024, the two agencies conducted two joint operations, neutralising a newly-rising syndicate and netting its backbone members.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming remarked that the ICAC would continue to resolutely combat building maintenance related crimes with the Competition Commission to improve citizens’ livelihood. Woo added that the ICAC and the Competition Commission were both guardians of Hong Kong’s free market economy sharing missions alike. By entering into the MoU, the partnership of the two agencies would be strengthened, which in turn would help Hong Kong sustain its business environment and competitiveness.

“The ICAC and the Competition Commission play a pivotal role in the Hong Kong society. Fighting corruption and procuring fair competition is crucial for enhancing Hong Kong’s international image and sustaining its status as the world’s freest economy,” said Woo.

Woo added that the ICAC would continue to combat corruption and safeguard a clean and fair business environment to attract enterprises to do business in Hong Kong, where they could benefit from the city’s unique advantages under the “one country, two systems”.

Chairman of the Competition Commission Samuel Chan Ka-yan remarked that “Anti-competitive conduct may sometimes involve elements that contravene not only the Competition Ordinance, but also other areas of law. To ensure an effective and collaborative approach in tackling such cases, the Commission has been proactive in strengthening cooperation with fellow law enforcers in Hong Kong. The signing of MoU with the ICAC today is an important step forward to consolidate the partnership, with a view to fostering greater synergy between the two agencies in their joint effort to safeguard a clean and level-playing field for all businesses in Hong Kong.”

Witnessed by Woo and Chan, Deputy Commissioner and Head of Operations of the ICAC Ricky Yau Shu-chun and Chief Executive Officer of the Competition Commission Rasul Butt signed the MoU. The agreement outlined a framework for co-operation in the areas of case referral, intelligence exchange, joint investigation, training and research, etc. After the MoU come into force, closer co-operation between the two agencies in combatting bribery, anti-competition conducts and related crimes is expected.

To enhance officers’ capabilities in future joint enforcement operations, the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption and the Competition Commission co-hosted the first-ever Training on Joint Operations Against Corruption and Anti-competitive Conduct. Today, certificates were presented to 30 officers from the two agencies completing the two-day professional training.

During the two-day course, senior officers from both the ICAC and the Competition Commission shared with participants the technical knowhow and their experience in enforcement actions against anti-corruption and anti-competitive conducts. Through a simulated joint operational training, participants had sharpened their skills in responding to different situations by taking part in planning an arrest and search operation, handling exhibits, taking statements, etc.

To formalise and strengthen co-operation in combatting corruption and other-related crimes, the ICAC had already entered into MoUs with the Securities and Futures Commission, the Financial Reporting Council and the Insurance Authority.