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Explore insights on the Hong Kong economy, government deficit, property market, tourism, and more. Learn about factors influencing economic growth, uncertainties, and strategies for sustainable development in a dynamic market. Discover the role of human capital, investment, and innovation in shaping Hong Kong's future.
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Hong Kong Economic Situations Stephen Yan-Leung Cheung Prof. (Chair) of Finance City University of Hong Kong
Content • Hong Kong Economy • How can we position ourselves? • Opportunities in China Market • Uncertainties
Government Deficit (II) Source: The Budget 2004-05
Observations (I) • Operating revenue cannot cover operating expenditure • Operating deficit will last until 2008/09 • Consolidated deficit will last until 2007/08
Observations (II) • The consolidated surplus/ (deficit) is boosted by the 20 billion bond issue • Interestingly, Mr. Tang’s speech did not mention about the payment • Issuing bond is a source of financing not income
Operating Expenditure Forecast (in $billion) Target Forecast Source: The Budget 2004-05
Operating Revenue Forecast (in $billion) Target Forecast Source: The Budget 2004-05
Surplus/Deficit Forecast (in $billion) Source: The Budget 2004-05
Observations (III) • Operating expenditure drops from 218 billion in 03/04 to 200 billion in 08/09 → 8% decrease • Operating revenue increases from 155 billion in 03/04 to 200 billion in 08/09 → 29% increase • Question is how to boost up government revenue
Facts • Hong Kong has a narrow tax-base • No room to increase direct tax rate • Salary tax • Profit tax • Depend too much on direct tax • 40:60 (indirect tax: direct tax) • Only 40% working population pay salary tax • For those who pay the standard tax rate (less than 1%) are responsible for more than 20% of the salary tax revenue • Government becomes serious on GST
Economic Situation • Hong Kong GDP in Q3 increased to 7.2% • Close to the GDP in 2000 Q1, which was 13.6% (IT bubble) • The total exports in Q4 2004 increased around 13% • Tourism, individual travel scheme • CEPA
Property Market Recovery • Recovery in 2003 Q4 and 2004 Q1 • Number of transactions increased by 22% in the first half of 2004 over the second half of 2003 • Average property price dropped slightly recently but prices went up by 26% relatively to mid-2003 • Affordability ratio improves substantially
Tourism • Number of tourists arriving at Hong Kong increased • substantially from China, and • from other destinations • Number of tourists arriving at Hong Kong in June 2004 exceeded the pre-SARS level • In July 2004, number of tourists reached 1.99 million
Consumption • Private consumption expenditure had an average growth of 7% in real term in Q1-3 2004 • The volume of total retail sales increased by 6.8% in Dec 2004 • Reflection of strong rebound of local consumers and tourists
Market Forecast Hong Kong’s Economic Growth Sources: Census and Statistics Department, Reuters, and BOCHK Research
Hong Kong Economic Situation (I) Two Problems • Deflation • A period of 5 years & 8 months • CPI increased by 0.2% in Dec 04 but fell by 0.5% in Jan 05 • Declined in prices were recorded in Jan 2005 for housing (-3.1% in the Composite CPI), durable goods (-2.0% in the Composite CPI), miscellaneous services which cover package tours (-1.6% in the Composite CPI), and transport (-0.1% in the Composite CPI)
Hong Kong Economic Situation (II) • Unemployment • Unemployment rate at 6.4% in Nov 04 - Jan 05 • Structural problem • Possible to drop to 5 - 6% • The age group of 15 -19 has high unemployment rate • How to improve the education level of population? • How?
Changes • Economic Role of China • Sources of Growth
Implications for Development Policy • Innovations are needed • How Hong Kong will cultivate creatively within our economy
Ingredients • Human Capital • Investment
Ingredients • Human Capital (才) • Investment (財)
Human Capital • Education • 3+3+4 • Creative abilities • Student participation • Questioning • Debate • Import talented people
Research and Development • Role of Government • Role of private sector • Role of universities • Participation of intellectual property rights • Incentives • Tax incentives • Competition • China → Win-win situation
Uncertainties • Oil price • US$50/barrel • US economic figures good/bad? • US interest rate increase
China Economy • Macro-economic adjustment started to work? • Fixed asset investment slowed • 2004 Q1-3 GDP increased 9.5% • Inflation is 1.9% in Jan of 2005 • Prices of food items increased by 4.0% • Prices of non-food items increased by 0.8% • China economy further down may affect the external trade of Hong Kong
Ways Forward • More integration with Pan-PDR • Comparative advantages • Cost will never be an advantage • Quality of service • International network • Human resources • Impact • Internal protection • Do not be too ambition • be focused