Cap. 656 Art. 18Power to procure resources.

(1) The credit reviewer may appoint such officers and consultants to assist in the fulfilment of its functions. The engagement of such officers and consultants shall be at such appropriate terms and conditions as commensurate with their appointment and professional standing and experience. Such appointment may be on full-time or part-time basis, or related to specific eligible applications that require special skills for proper analysis.

(2) Any person appointed in accordance with sub-article (1) shall:

(a) be independent and impartial of the parties to the application or applications in respect of which they shall have been engaged;

(b) carry out their duties free from any interference from any person except for the direction given by the credit reviewer; and

(c) maintain ongoing confidentiality regarding any information acquired during the course of their duties, even after their engagement has ended.

(3) The Office shall have the power to conduct surveys on the state of accessibility of finance by eligible applicants and to request information from lending institutions on the number of credit applications received by them by eligible applicants, including:

(a) the value of credit requested;

(b) the number of credit applications which have been approved and declined by lending institutions; and

(c) the reasons for refusal, to the extent permitted by law.