China News Service, Hong Kong, February 24 (Reporter Zhang Xiaoxi) The Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Chen Maobo, released the 2021-2022 Budget on the 24th, in which a number of new measures were announced to relieve people’s hardship, including the issuance of electronic consumer vouchers. , Support job seekers and the unemployed, provide electricity subsidies, etc.
In an interview with a reporter from China News Service, people here said that the relevant livelihood measures can not only help Hong Kong citizens affected by the new crown pneumonia epidemic, but also help restore the economy, and as a whole meet social needs.
The new "Budget" announced a number of "sugar distribution" measures, including the payment of a total of 5,000 yuan (HK$, the same below) to each eligible Hong Kong permanent resident and new arrivals aged 18 or above. ) Electronic consumer vouchers; allocated 6.6 billion yuan to create about 30,000 time-limited jobs; set up a "100% guaranteed personal preferential loan program"; reduced salaries tax and residential property rates, and provided electricity to every qualified residential user One-time measures such as a 1,000 yuan electricity subsidy and an additional half-month allowance to relevant eligible persons receiving comprehensive social security assistance.
In this regard, Hong Kong’s National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) Huang Guo pointed out in an interview that, overall, the new Budget pays more attention to the people’s livelihood issues in Hong Kong. Corresponding relief measures have been introduced. Although the intensity has not increased compared with last year, considering the easing of the epidemic and other factors, I believe the public and all walks of life are still full of affirmation of this budget.
The launch of an electronic consumer voucher of 5,000 yuan per person is a "two birds with one stone" measure. On the one hand, it can help citizens affected by the epidemic, on the other hand, it can also stimulate consumption and help restore Hong Kong's economy.
Huang Guo also said that since all industries in Hong Kong are affected by the epidemic, improving people's livelihood and promoting employment are also important parts of the SAR government's relief measures.
In this regard, the creation of time-limited jobs and the establishment of a "100% guaranteed personal preferential loan program" provide more choices for job seekers and the unemployed, which will help solve their "immediate needs" and tide over difficulties.
Cheng Yongshun, a member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a spokesperson for the Hong Kong Democratic Alliance for the Advancement of Hong Kong (DAB), told reporters that the new "Budget" as a whole meets the needs of the society and is a "down-to-earth" budget. The issuance of electronic consumer vouchers will help Hong Kong society face the current economic pressure. Measures to support job-seekers can also help people in need. I believe it will improve the unemployment situation in Hong Kong.
Associate Professor Zhuang Tailiang of the Department of Economics of the Chinese University of Hong Kong pointed out in an interview that since Hong Kong’s situation in the past year was still difficult, under these conditions, the new "Budget" basically took into account all aspects, as a whole. It looks like a better budget, and it should be adopted by the public.
For every eligible citizen who will be issued electronic consumer coupons, Zhuang Tailiang believes that the main purpose of this measure should be to support industries that are more affected by the epidemic and require the cooperation of citizens to make the measures effective.
In addition, the new "Budget" also focuses on building green and livable cities and improving the living environment in terms of people's livelihood. It will set aside 500 million yuan to optimize some country park facilities and set aside about 300 million yuan to promote the "improvement of football field facilities Five-Year Plan" etc.
In this regard, Huang Guo, Zheng Yongshun and others also expressed support during the interview, believing that relevant measures can improve the quality of life of citizens.
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