Online shopping: The Trade Development Council encourages overseas buyers make use of the virtual pavilion to browse through Hong Kong exhibitors' products.

The Trade Development Council says it will claim damages from the Swiss government after it banned Hong Kong exhibitors from attending the World Jewellery & Watch Fair.

The council and the 300-plus exhibitors said the ban was unacceptable and disappointing.

Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Henry Tang expressed great concern over the ban to Swiss Trade Minister Joseph Deiss yesterday, before they decided to uphold it.

Switzerland said any business activities of Hong Kong exhibitors would be prohibited until they had been given thorough health checks due to the atypical pneumonia outbreak here. However, the checks could not be finished until next week.

To prevent similar incidents, Mr Tang said Hong Kong would inform the international community about the latest atypical pneumonia situation here.

The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce have co-signed a protest letter to the Swiss Consul General.

Meanwhile, the Trade Development Council encourages overseas buyers make use of the virtual pavilion to browse through Hong Kong exhibitors' products and maintain contacts with them.