China News Service, Hong Kong, September 29 (Reporter Shi Bingyun) Hong Kong economists predict that if the epidemic is properly controlled, Hong Kong's economy is expected to turn from a decline to an increase in 2021.

However, it is suggested that the SAR government still needs to make targeted public investment to effectively improve employment and promote economic development.

　　Liu Zunyi, Chair Professor of the Liu Zuode Institute of Global Economics and Finance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, made the above remarks at the online "Unity Zall Forum" held by the Hong Kong Solidarity Foundation on the 29th.

　　Liu Zunyi pointed out that the epidemic in Hong Kong was well controlled before June this year, and now the third wave of the epidemic has recorded only single-digit confirmed cases every day.

He hopes to continue to strictly prevent and control imported cases abroad and try to prevent the fourth wave of the epidemic.

He predicted that if the epidemic in Hong Kong is properly controlled and the society is stable, GDP is expected to turn negative to positive in the first quarter of 2021.

　　Liu Zunyi pointed out that due to social events in 2019, Hong Kong's GDP in 2019 fell by 3.7%, and the new crown epidemic in the first half of 2020 reduced Hong Kong's GDP by 6.4%, and the actual annual GDP loss is expected to reach 11.4%.

　　Liu Zunyi believes that the special economic stimulus measures such as the 10,000 yuan cash distribution to the public and the introduction of the "employment protection" plan have been effective, which can boost consumption in a timely manner and help support employment.

However, he said at the forum that the “all people’s money distribution” measures cannot be sustained, and the SAR government “can distribute money to those in need, but more public investment is needed.”

Infrastructure projects such as the renovation of public buildings directly boost employment.

　　From the perspective of long-term planning, Liu Zunyi pointed out that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is very important to the future development of Hong Kong. “The Greater Bay Area is equivalent to the size of a British market”.

He hoped that Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area will gradually realize the interconnection mechanism of capital, information, and personnel. There will be a broad space for practice and development, and they can make full use of their own research and development advantages to serve Chinese investors, enterprises and the economy.

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