Business Daily Media

Men's Weekly

.

Budget by Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary: Accelerating Development through Reform and Innovation

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 February 2025 - Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region unveiled his 2025-26 Budget today (February 26). He noted that while geopolitical situation might bring risks, technology reform and artificial intelligence (AI) development are remoulding the global landscape, leading to the emergence of new industries, new forms of business, new products and new services.

He stressed that Hong Kong must seize the opportunity to make the most out of this critical window to speed up development, establishing the new before abolishing the old. He also emphasised that transformation and innovation will lead the way into the future, and the Government is poised to fast-track the high-quality development of Hong Kong's economy.

The Budget presents a series of measures aimed at accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces. On innovation and technology (I&T), the Government will promote Hong Kong into an international exchange and co-operation hub for the AI industry. Through frontier research and real-world application, the Government will endeavour to develop AI as a core industry and empower traditional industries in their upgrading and transformation. To spearhead and support Hong Kong's innovative research and development as well as industrial application of AI, the Government will establish the Hong Kong AI Research and Development Institute and launch the Pilot Manufacturing and Production Line Upgrade Support Scheme (Manufacturing+). On finance, the Government will continue to take forward reforms to the listing regime, host the Hong Kong Global Financial and Industry Summit, and formulate a plan this year on promoting gold market development.

Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers the 2025-26 Budget in the Legislative Council.
Hong Kong SAR’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers the 2025-26 Budget in the Legislative Council.

To seize the opportunities brought about by the rapid advancement of innovation and technology, the Budget highlights the need to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, which is an investment in Hong Kong's future. The Government will continue to accord priority to providing resources for this initiative, which primarily includes providing large tracts of I&T land at the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, together with San Tin Technopole; adopting an innovative mindset in piloting "large-scale land disposal"; developing a data facility cluster at Sandy Ridge; as well as identifying suitable sites in the Northern Metropolis for the construction of conference and exhibition facilities.

On the promotion of tourism, funding will be allocated to pursue the concept of "tourism is everywhere" and implement the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0. A study will be conducted on the development of the waterfront and former sites to the south of the Hung Hom Station in Kowloon into a new harbourfront landmark in Kowloon, including a yacht club.

Regarding land supply, Mr Chan announced that the Government will not roll out any commercial site for sale in the coming year in view of the high vacancy rates of offices in recent years to allow the market to absorb the existing supply. The Government will also consider rezoning some of the commercial sites into residential use and allowing greater flexibility of land use.

The Budget presents a series of measures aimed at accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces.
The Budget presents a series of measures aimed at accelerating the cultivation of new quality productive forces.

Mr Chan proposed a reinforced version of the fiscal consolidation programme to focus on strictly controlling government expenditure, supplemented by increasing revenue, to restore fiscal balance in the Operating Account, in a planned and progressive manner, within the current term of the Government. The Government will also deliver more efficient public services to citizens through leveraging technology, streamlining processes and driving the digital transformation of public services. Mr Chan said he will uphold the "user pays" and the "affordable users pay" principles as far as practicable while increasing revenue, including increasing the air passenger departure tax, and reviewing the tolls of government tunnels and trunk roads. The Government will suitably expand the size of bond issuance on the premise of maintaining healthy public finances and use the funds raised on infrastructure works in a proper and flexible manner to invest in Hong Kong's future and create value for society.

More information about the 2025-26 Budget is available from www.budget.gov.hk.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #budget






The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

News from Asia

Phuket Rises as the Ultimate Residential Destination for Russian Buyers, Driven by Laguna Phuket and Banyan Group Residences

Over half of Laguna Phuket’s sales of new condos in the past few years have been to Russian buyers lured by Phuket’s affordability, stability, great weather and relaxed but fun lifestylePHUKET, THA...

TOJOY Shared Holding Group's 8th China Unicorn Carnival Celebrates Milestone Success, Paving the Way for Private Sector Growth

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 August 2025 - The 8th China Unicorn Carnival, marking TOJOY Shared Holding Group's 34th anniversary, concluded in Beijing on August 18, bringing togeth...

Hongkong Land launches Hong Kong’s first AI-powered intelligent facility management platform

Key highlights include: The Integrated Facility Management Control Tower (IFMCT) unifies over 20 standalone building systems into a single AI-powered command centre and is poise...

Vingroup Ranked Vietnam’s Largest Private Contributor to the State Budget

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 August 2025 - Vingroup (Ticker: VIC) has been recognized as the largest private contributor to Vietnam's state budget, with total payments exceed...

Li Ning Company Limited Announces 2025 Interim Results

Implementing the Core Strategy of “Single Brand, Multi-Categories, Diversified Channels” | Excelling Through Professionalism, Strengthening Strategic FoundationsFINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS In th...

Slim Down Server Maintenance Time with Southco’s New Rack Attach

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 August 2025 - Southco Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Southco Inc., a leading global provider of engineered access solutions such as locks, latches, ca...

Atmos Funded to Host First Thailand Seminar Offering Up to USD 400,000 in Trading Capital

BANGKOK, THAILAND - Media OutReach Newswire - 21 August 2025 - Atmos Funded, a global prop trading firm backed by leading broker Taurex, will host its first major seminar in Thailand on August 30...

HKIVALAWYER.com Officially Launched|The First Dedicated Debt Restructuring Legal Platform in Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 August 2025 - In today's economic climate, both businesses and individuals are facing mounting debt pressures and an increasing need for restructuring ...

8Wonder reveals full star-studded lineup, featuring groundbreaking collaborations between vietnamese and international artists

HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 22 August 2025 - VinWonders, a subsidiary of Vingroup, Vietnam's largest private conglomerate and a driving force behind the nation's economic and social...

YesAsia Holdings Reports Another Record-High Interim Performance: 1H2025 Revenue US$243.93 Million (+49.3%), Net Profit US$14.08 Million (+26.7%)

Leveraging B2C and B2B Synergies to Capitalize on the Global K-Beauty BoomResults Highlights Revenue rose by 49.3% to US$243.93 million. Operating profit increased by 31.9% to US...

SME lender Dynamoney welcomes new CEO, Brett Thomas

Strengthens growth ambitions and signals expanded offering Dynamoney, a leading commercial finance provider for Australian SMEs,  has today appoint...

The cost of ignoring AI governance in business

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer the promise of a distant future: it's active, embedded, and already shaping decisions across industries. H...

Quickli launches new SMSF product as free beta for limited time only

The leading technology provider for Australian mortgage brokers, Quickli, has answered the prayers of brokers yet again with the launch of a stand...

Portable Monitors for Coding and Programming Students

Today, coding and programming require more focus and efficiency. But, the most essential thing it demands is ample screen space. Students can stru...

Beyond the Banks: Why Agility and Tech Integration Are Defining the Future of Lending in Australia

In Australia’s evolving credit landscape, non-bank lenders are no longer merely filling gaps left by traditional institutions; they are actively r...

Carma appoints Owen Wilson as Chair of the Board

Carma’s next phase of growth to be guided by REA Group’s outgoing CEO who oversaw realestate.com.au rise to be Australia's #1 place for property ...

Sell by LayBy