13
-
29.
But there is another option that we will need to
consider further, and that is borrowing. Borrowing by
statutory corporations such as the Mass Transit Railway
Corporation is already a well-established way of funding,
and clearly one of the methods that the Airport Authority
is likely to use. Also, we must not
not lose sight of the
possibility of judicious borrowing by the Hong Kong
Government itself, a well-tried method elsewhere for
financing major capital projects and smoothing public
sector cashflow. I have made no decision yet as to whether
this is an option we should actually pursue, but I will
revert to the issue in my Budget Speech next year.
Conclusion
30.
sir, our longer term economic growth can only be
secured by ensuring that our physical infrastructure
remains adequate to facilitate the efficient movement of
people and goods in and out of Hong Kong. This is crucial
to maintaining our position as a major finance, trade and
services centre for the Asia Pacific region. The new
airport is an important part of that infrastructure.
the Secretary for Economic Services has already poi.ced
out, Kai Tak is expected to reach saturation as early as
Thereafter, growth will be constrained because of
limited capacity, and this could have an impact on our
economic growth.
1993.
As
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