CS SUPPORTS BUDGET

Chief Secretary John Lee today said he supports the 2022-23 Budget which has reserved necessary financial resources for anti-epidemic measures on various fronts to safeguard the lives and health of Hong Kong people.

In a statement, Mr Lee said stabilising the epidemic situation early is the overriding mission for the Government, adding that anti-epidemic measures that will receive those financial resources include the continued implementation of the vaccination programme and strengthening of testing work.

They also include the procurement of rapid antigen test kits, provision of additional resources to the Hospital Authority, and a further $12 billion injection into the Anti-epidemic Fund for the construction of anti-epidemic facilities, he added.

Hong Kong's economy was on the path of revival last year, but the recent outbreak of the fifth wave of the epidemic has put pressure on normal economic activities and the job market. The Budget was prepared under these very special circumstances.

To support enterprises and individuals hard hit by the fifth wave of the epidemic, Mr Lee said the Government has swiftly launched the fifth and sixth rounds of the Anti-epidemic Fund with total funding standing at $30.6 billion.

The Budget further proposed short-term relief measures, such as extending the application period of the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme to end-June next year, enhancement of the 100% Personal Loan Guarantee Scheme for Individuals, provision of an equivalent of a half month's extra allowance to eligible recipients of social security payments as well as the reduction, waiver or subsidy in specified taxes, rates, electricity charges, and water and sewage charges.

The statement also noted that the Budget once again introduces the Consumption Voucher Scheme to issue electronic vouchers in instalments with a total value of $10,000 to each eligible Hong Kong permanent resident and new arrival aged 18 or above.

The value of the vouchers is double that of last year, and the vouchers are expected to further boost the local consumption market, it added.

The Budget also creates favourable conditions for economic recovery and emphasises investment in the future, especially in facilitating Hong Kong's full integration into the country's overall development, fully displaying the city's potential in the four traditional centres and four emerging centres under the National 14th Five-Year Plan and continuing to consolidate its position as an international city under the unique advantages of "one country, two systems" with a view to opening a new chapter of development in the new era.

The Chief Secretary also urged the community to remain confident and united in the fight against the epidemic.

“As the enterprises maintain their strength and the people continue to fight the virus together to bring the epidemic under early control, we will certainly tide over the difficult times and the economy will surely recover,” Mr Lee said.

“I support the Budget this year, and hope that the Legislative Council can scrutinise and approve the appropriation bill as soon as possible, so that various measures can be implemented, relief measures can benefit individuals and enterprises as early as practicable, and the economy can revive soon,” he added.

---

PREVIOUSNEXT