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Well-off Hong Kong daunted by record deficits


Published on 2025-02-23 03:41:08 - Tuko
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  • Hong Kong is facing its toughest fiscal test in three decades following a painful run of mammoth deficits, with experts urging the government to make careful cuts as the economy wobbles. Lawmaker Edmund Wong cautioned against pay cuts for civil servants,

The article from MSN discusses the financial challenges faced by Hong Kong, despite its reputation as a wealthy city. Hong Kong is currently grappling with record budget deficits, which have been exacerbated by several factors including economic slowdown, reduced land sales revenue, and increased government spending on health, welfare, and infrastructure. The city's fiscal reserves, once robust, are now under strain, prompting concerns about long-term financial sustainability. The government has been forced to consider measures like tax increases or spending cuts, which are politically sensitive. Moreover, the economic recovery post-COVID has been uneven, with sectors like tourism and retail still lagging, while the property market, a traditional revenue source, faces its own set of issues due to high interest rates and economic uncertainty. This situation has led to a broader discussion on economic policy, fiscal management, and the need for structural reforms to ensure Hong Kong's financial health moving forward.

Read the Full Tuko Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-xl/africa/kenya/well-off-hong-kong-daunted-by-record-deficits/ar-AA1zBabh ]
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