Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Directory | Opportunities | Information | Web Mart     HK Airport Flight Information   Current HK Traffic Condition   Current HK Weather Report

Advertise
In the Bulletin

From the Chairman

Inside Legco

From the CEO

Cover Story
Where is Hong Kong's public transportation policy going?

Special Features 
Looking Ahead

Hong Kong: Simply the Best!

The Hong Kong Spirit at Work

HKGCC SARS Relief : What Measures were Accepted?

O'Rear's View 
1 AD: The First Quarter 'After Disease'

China Economic Update
Technical Barriers Hamper China Trade

Business
iChamber

Sun Ming Hong

Chamber Programmes
Visit to Shanghai
Echoing Taking off with Hong Kong

Chamber Programmes

Chamber
SME Night

'Intelligent Home'

Chamber in Action


ARCHIVES
2008 Issues
2007 Issues
2006 Issues
2005 Issues
2004 Issues
2003 Issues
2002 Issues
2001 Issues
2000 Issues
1999 Issues

Search for

 
Advanced Search

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN TODAY!
SPECIAL FEATURE                                                         July 2003 Issue


theBulletin.gif (2057 bytes)


HKGCC SARS Relief : What Measures were Accepted?

HKGCC submitted to government on April 16 a list of economic relief measures to consider to help companies smarting from the SARS crisis and to revive the economy. On April 23, the government announced a HK$11.8 billion "Relief and Economic Revival Measures" package, which was warmly welcomed across Hong Kong. Many of the measures included in that plan were suggested by HKGCC members, which the Chamber then submitted to government. Following is a brief comparison of those measures and subsequent follow-up measures.

HKGCC Recommended Measures Government Measures

IMMEDIATE ECONOMIC MEASURES

Recommends that government waive provisional tax payments to provide cash relief.

Refund 50 percent of 2001/02 final tax on salaries, subject to a cap of HK$3,000.
Recommends the Airport Authority reduce or temporarily waive airport landing and parking fees, and office or retail rentals under the AA's responsibility for three months. AA announced on April 25 that airlines can defer 50 percent of fees incurred during the next three months and a 10-month grace period before any payments are due; 75 percent reduction for long-term parking fees for three months; shops and catering outlets at the passenger terminal will be offered HK$70 million in rent reductions and HK$70 million worth of deferred payments.
Modify the government SME funds to give SMES speedier access to funds.
Government provides HK$3.5 billion in bridging finance to businesses to avoid lay-offs.
Return to 2002-03 freeze of water and sewage charges for six months.
 Introduces reduction in water and sewage charges for four months.
Concessions on rates be extended for one quarter to provide immediate help to the restaurant, retail, tourism and entertainment sectors, as well as encourage consumer spending.
Waiver of rates for one quarter.
Waive business registration fee for one year.
 Waiver of license fees for businesses most affected by SARS for one year when they are due for renewal.
Reduce or waive rent for Housing Authority commercial complexes for three months for tenants on a case-by-case basis. Catering establishments receive a 50 percent rent reduction for three months; other establishments get a 30 percent reduction.

IMMEDIATE CRISIS MANAGEMENT MEASURES
Need for an authoritative, confident spokesman to put out clear and transparent information every day about the SARS situation. Dr Margaret Chan, Director of Health, leads a daily SARS briefing.

More proactive, higher profile co-operation with internationally recognised public health experts from WHO, USCDC, etc. Government invites WHO experts to Hong Kong to conduct their own studies and co-operate with local organisations' efforts.
Work with Beijing and other governments on equipment supply and urged Hong Kong-based airlines to offer free transport for foreign medical experts and supplies to come to Hong Kong.
 Government works out an arrangement with Guangdong to receive medical supplies. Transport companies agree to transport goods and personnel for free.
The Chamber supports a long-term campaign to clean the city to improve hygiene and make Hong Kong a healthier place with a better quality of life.
 Team Clean, headed by Chief Secretary Donald Tsang, announces short- , medium- and long-term measures to clean up Hong Kong.

LONG-TERM MEASURES

Large-scale campaigns when SARS has been contained to relaunch Hong Kong as a business centre. Antony Leung heads Hong Kong Relaunch Committee and announces wide-ranging, large-scale events to revive the economy.
When WHO lifts its travel advisory, large-scale publicity campaigns to attract tourists back to Hong Kong. Tourism Revival Campaign organisers outline a timetable of measures to attract tourists back to Hong Kong.
Increase SME Export Marketing Fund from HK$40,000 to HK$80,000. The maximum amount that SMEs can receive under the SME Export Marketing Fund is raised from HK$40,000 to HK$80,000.
About HKGCC | Member Services | Join Us | Contact Us | Advertising | Jobs
The Chamber's Privacy Policy Statement
Copyright © 1998-2008 The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.