74
The Trading Environment
"The general external environment for our trade looks favourable in 1996." (Para 29)
The Domestic Economy
"The business prospects also look favourable." (Para 31)
"Consumer sentiment is expected to turn better following the rebound in both the stock and the property markets. This will be helped further by the recent easing in interest rates." (Para 31)
Social Concerns
"The Budget makes provision for funding all the measures announced by the Governor in his Address in October 1995. Where possible, I shall be proposing that we go even further." (Para 32)
Getting People Back to Work
"I propose to inject another $300 million into the Employees Retraining Board." (Para 33)
Safety Net
"We will provide additional improvements to the CSSA Scheme which will cost an extra $200 million a year on top of the $300 million pledged by the Governor." (Para 36)
Care for the Elderly
"This year, we have provided $9 billion both on financial assistance and on health and welfare services for the elderly. This represents an increase of 50 per cent in real terms over 1992. Next year, expenditure on welfare services for the elderly will increase by 17 per cent." (Para 39)
"We have doubled the number of Home Help teams for the elderly over the past six years. Next year, we will increase the total number to 126 teams enabling us to serve about 12,000 elderly people." (Para 40)