2
He added that the best way to keep an economy growing was to maintain a tax system which was low, predictable and fair.
"Thus whilst politicians elsewhere flirt with the idea of a flat tax, we in Hong Kong in effect already have one," he said.
Mr Tsang said it was important for the financial community, including the banking sector, to contribute to the keeping of a vigorous Hong Kong economy.
End
Contractors reminded of employment priority
The Director of the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, Mr Billy Lam, today (Tuesday) reminded contractors of the Airport Core Programme(ACP) projects to give local workers priority in employing labour for their ACP works.
He also warned that those who failed to do so might not be allowed to import labour from overseas.
Mr Lam reinforced his message to the contractors at a meeting to discuss the ACP Labour Importation Scheme and the ACP Job Centre set up jointly by the Airport Authority (AA) and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC).
Representatives of principal contractors for the new airport and the airport railway attended this (Tuesday) morning's meeting chaired by the Secretary for Works, Mr H S Kwong.
The acting Secretary for Education and Manpower, Miss Jacqueline Willis, the Commissioner for Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, an Assistant Director of Immigration, Mr Ambrose Lee, and representatives from AA, MTRC and Hong Kong Construction Association also briefed contractors at the meeting.
Speaking to media representatives after the meeting, Mr Lam said the placement rate of the job centre was not as good as expected.
"The Management Committee of the job centre will take a critical look at the placement rate and study how it can be improved," he said.