Gilly Wong, chief executive of the Consumer Council, was on Tuesday stepping down from her post after 13 years.

In a statement, the consumer watchdog said Wong has been dedicated to promoting and protecting consumer rights and interests and overseen the council's digital transformation.

"Under her leadership, the Council has continued to promote consumer protection and deftly navigated today’s increasingly complex and ever-changing consumption environment with a forward-thinking mindset," the council's chairman Clement Chan wrote in the statement.

Wong also served as the vice president of Consumers International’s Board of Trustees, an organisation advocating consumer rights around the world.

In response, she said she was honoured to lead the council and safeguard consumer rights during her term.

Wong added that it is a suitable time to leave the position, after the watchdog celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and laid out its three-year plan.

She was stepping down upon completion of her contract.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau hailed Wong's work.

"The council has been keeping pace with the times, including stepping up publicity and education to protect consumer rights and interests in response to the growing popularity of online shopping, as well as assisting elderly consumers to strengthen their self-protection capabilities," Yau said in a statement.

The council's deputy chief executive Francis Ho will become the interim chief executive until a successor to Wong is named.