香港財政司司長曾俊華發表新年度財政預算案。港府駐英經貿辦事處處長胡寶珠表示，預算案將針對金融海嘯衝擊下的經濟問題，重點保障港人就業，提高香港國際間的競爭力。

港府將撥款16億元，未來三年，創造6萬2千個工作及實習機會，包括擴大舊樓維修資助，開創1萬個職位，又資助企業請大學畢業生實習，4000人受惠。

政府預期今年本港經濟會收縮2%至3%，是98年亞洲金融風暴以來，再次出現年度負增長。整體通脹回落至1.6%。未來5年，政府財政都會錄得綜合赤字。預算案將會造成399億元赤字。

在寬免措施方面，政府將會寬免2季差餉，每戶每季上限1500元，又會寬減今個財政年度一半的薪俸稅及個人入息稅，上限是6000元。

Hong Kong announced in the annual Budget a multi-pronged strategy to combat the fallout from the global financial crisis, with a series of measures to tackle both the immediate and longer term challenges by creating jobs, improayving the environment, fostering economic development and building a caring community, said Sarah Wu, the Director-General of Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in London.

The impact of the financial crisis on the Hong Kong economy has been clear. The rate of growth in GDP dropped from 6.3% in 2007 to 2.5% in 2008. The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, set out the Budget today (25/02/09). He expected a further decrease of 2 to 3% for 2009, the first negative growth for a whole year since the Asian financial crisis in 1998. While for 2008-9, the Budget forecast a surplus of $18 billion in the Operating Account and a deficit of $4.9 billion in the Consolidated Account, for 2009-10 he forecast deficits in both accounts: HK$9.8 billion in the Operating Account and HK$39.9 billion in the Consolidated Account. However, Mr Tsang predicted a return to surplus in the Operating Account for 2012-13.

He stressed the need for far-sightedness, courage, and strategic thinking as well as the problem-solving ability to arrest the knock-on effects of the financial crisis.

The three guiding principles of this year’s budget were: create jobs and support employment; increase overall competitiveness; and facilitate a return to economic growth. To achieve these objectives, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) will increase public government spending next year to more than HK$300 billion.

Major initiatives are set out below-

* On job creation, the Budget announced measures at a total cost of HK$1.6 billion that would create about 62,000 jobs and internship opportunities.

* To enhance the city’s overall competitiveness, HKSARG will speed up the construction of new infrastructure links with the Mainland, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Airport Rail Link. Capital works expenditure will be increased to HK$39.3 billion for 2009-10 and possibly reaching HK$50 billion over the next few years. A Development Opportunities Office will be set up better co-ordinate projects.

* On creating new business opportunities, the focus would be on developing technology-based, creative and green economies. HK$300 million will be set aside for developing creative industries with strong local characteristics through the promotion of culture and art.

* To promote a green economy and a better living environment, Hong Kong would expand co-operation with the Guangdong Provincial Government under the “Framework for Development and Reform Planning for PRD Region” announced by the Central Government in January. Hong Kong would study the wider use of electric cars in Hong Kong and exempt the First Registration Tax on electrical vehicles for five more years.

* To improve energy efficiency in buildings, HK$450 million will be allocated for works on government buildings, with another HK$450 million to assist owners of private buildings with carbon audits and energy efficiency improvement projects.

* To ease the financial burden on the public, FS proposes to give a one-off tax reduction of 50% of salaries tax and tax under personal assessment for 2008-09, up to a maximum of HK$6,000; a rates waiver for the first two quarters of the fiscal year, up to a maximum of HK$1,500 per quarter; and to continue the freeze on Government fees and charges related to people’s livelihood until March 31, 2010.

The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, praised the Budget for being pragmatic and forward-looking in responding to the financial crisis as well as laying the foundations for long-term growth.

Further information on the Budget can be found at: http://www.budget.gov.hk.

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