Advisory Committee on Tax Policy holds first meeting
The Advisory Committee on Tax Policy (ACTP), chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, held its first meeting today (June 29).
At the meeting, members were briefed on and discussed the various preferential policies and measures under Hong Kong's current tax regime and the relevant measures in this year's Budget, including preferential policies for promoting investments and development of industries.
Mr Chan said, "Tax policy is a key component of enhancing the competitiveness of an economy. One of Hong Kong's institutional advantages is our simple and low tax regime. Our tax policy is widely and internationally recognised. For instance, in the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 published by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong's tax policy has topped the global rankings for two consecutive years. However, in the face of the evolving and increasingly stiff global competitive environment, we must move ahead with the times and continue to enhance our tax policy and create a more facilitating business environment, with a view to attracting more quality enterprises and industry clusters to Hong Kong and supporting the diversified and long-term development of our economy. I am very grateful for members' participation and support by proactively putting forward valuable insights."
In the 2026-27 Budget, the Financial Secretary proposed the establishment of the ACTP. The ACTP's terms of reference are: To advise the Government on tax policy matters, with a view to sustaining and enhancing Hong Kong's economic development and competitiveness, taking into consideration the evolving global tax environment and Hong Kong's international tax obligations. Members comprise representatives from the commercial, industrial and professional sectors, as well as relevant government departments. The membership is as follows:
Chairman
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Financial Secretary
Ex-officio members
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Deputy Financial Secretary
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury)
Commissioner of Inland Revenue
Government Economist
Head, Budget and Tax Policy Unit
Non-official members (in alphabetical order of surnames)
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Mr Roger Barbour
Dr Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu
Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen
Mr Alan Chan Chung-yee
Mr Calvin Chan Ka-wai
Mr Pierre Chan Tat-hin
Mr Johannes Hack
Ms Namalee Kodikara
Mr Anthony Lam Sai-ho
Ms Amy Lo Choi-wan
Mr Paul McSheaffrey
Dr Webster Ng Kam-wah
Mr Michael Olesnicky
Mr Ou Xiaoming
Ms Jennifer Tan Yuen-chun
Mr Sunny Tan
Ms Sally Wan Yuen-wai
Advisory Committee on Tax Policy holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Advisory Committee on Tax Policy holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Advisory Committee on Tax Policy holds first meeting Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Ho Man Tin today
The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened on a construction site in Ho Man Tin this morning (June 29), in which an excavator toppled while lifting a bundle of metal pipes, causing a male worker working nearby to be struck by the falling pipes. He was certified dead later in hospital. The LD is saddened by death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to his family.
The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the use of the excavator and lifting operations at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."
The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation."
To ensure the safety of lifting operations, the LD reminds employers to conduct a task-specific risk assessment to identify all potential hazards and formulate and implement the related safe lifting procedures, including selecting suitable lifting appliances for operations, assessing stability of lifting appliances during the operations, demarcating and barricading lifting zones and prohibiting any person from entering the zones during lifting operations.
The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.
In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.
The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.
For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should also co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.
Source: AI-found images
