More cost-cutting measures explored by government

The government is actively exploring ways to control expenditures, including asking departments to review resource allocation, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu said.  

Authorities have been strictly controlling civil servant numbers, which is expected to decrease to 194,000 by the end of March this year, Hui told a LegCo meeting on Wednesday.

Departments will enhance efficiency through prioritizing tasks, reallocating internal resources, streamlining processes and adopting technology, Hui said. Regarding civil service salaries, he said the chief executive and Executive Council will follow the established mechanism and consider six key factors before deciding on any adjustments.

Hong Kong is expected to record a deficit of nearly HK$100 billion for the year ending in March. 

STAFF REPORTER