The predecessor, Secretary for Trade and Industry (Chinese: 工商局局長), was the head of the Trade and Industry Branch, and later the Trade and Industry Bureau, responsible for securing Hong Kong's access to the world market, helping Hong Kong manufacturers remain competitive in international markets, enhancing the protection of intellectual property rights, and promoting Hong Kong customers' interests.[2] It was renamed and re-organised as the Secretary for Commerce and Industry in 2000,[3] and replaced by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Chinese: 工商及科技局局長) in 2002, with new responsibilities of technology sectors after merging with Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting.