Safety first again for prudent Tsang
Health, job retraining and fun parks get a boost, while finance chief stresses importance of language skills with an extra HK$5b funding
The government will spend more on public services, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah said, with much of it going to health and job training.
Tsang outlined plans to spend more on language skills to keep Hong Kong competitive. He also announced investments at the two major theme parks, including a world-first attraction at Disneyland.
"The importance of education is beyond question. Investing in education … provides an economic driver," he said.
The importance of education is beyond question. Investing in education … provides an economic driver
One step in this direction is an extra HK$5 billion for a fund to improve students' language proficiency. Another is a scholarship programme for study at universities overseas.
More will be spent on improving public health, with the budget rising HK$2.7 billion to HK$49 billion.
A further HK$15 billion will be pumped into the Employees Retraining Board.
And the government will lend HK$2.3 billion to Ocean Park to build an all-weather Water World park. Hong Kong Disneyland, of which the government is the majority shareholder, will launch a night-time parade and a zone dedicated to Marvel superheroes. Marvel has produced hit films including last year's blockbuster The Avengers.
To pay for the overseas scholarships, HK$480 million will be set aside to fund a Government Scholarship Fund. Form Seven graduates will compete for 20 places. The winners will get up to HK$300,000 a year, in return for which they will have to teach at government schools for a certain period when they return.