All budget ideas will be seriously considered: CE

RTHK：Video News

Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said the government will seriously consider all opinions on the next budget. With a public consultation under way on Sunday, Lee said Financial Secretary Paul Chan will give serious consideration to all the advice proposed for the upcoming budget. "A lot of advice and opinions have already been provided," Lee told reporters ahead of the weekly's Executive Council meeting. "The financial secretary has been doing this budget consultation for a number of years, and he will of course be taking serious attention to all the opinions and suggestions that are raised, examine the pros and cons, and also the reasoning and the thinking behind, so as to ensure that the eventual budget will satisfy the overall needs of Hong Kong. "I am sure that the financial secretary will be paying heed to different opinions and analyse all the opinions very objectively and thoroughly to ensure that the best budget is prepared for Hong Kong." The CE told businesses to grasp opportunities, thanks to stronger visitor numbers and an increase in online shopping. "Yes, we have a budget deficit, but already we have said that we will try to increase income, and also to reduce expenditure as well and to promote economic growth so the businesses will make more money, as a result of which the government will also have more income," he said. The CE said the government will seek to make around HK$90 billion in investments each year, and he believes private investments will improve following a number of policies and measures launched by the central and SAR governments. The government has said the budget deficit for the current fiscal year could double to around HK$100 billion from an earlier estimate.