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16.
"This will ensure solid growth in employment, new business opportunities and good profits across the economy as a whole," said Mr Tsang.
However, he said, the slight pick-up envisaged in inflation was a reminder that when a mature economy like Hong Kong was growing at a rate close to full capacity, there would inevitably be pressures on both the labour and land resources.
"To contain these pressures, we will have to continue our battle against inflation.
"This underlines the importance of the Government maintaining the tightest control over public spending and pursuing maximum value for money throughout the public sector.
"It also means doing everything possible to raise productivity and enhance business efficiency," said Mr Tsang.
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High-level think-tank for services industry
A high-level Services Promotion Strategy Group will be set up to steer the way forward in Hong Kong's fast developing services sector.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, said the Group would ensure Hong Kong remains the services centre par excellence in the region, and indeed the world.
Group members will include senior representatives from the Trade Development Council, the Coalition of Service Industries and Chambers of Commerce.
The Group will hold its first meeting next month.
In addition, a new unit will be set up to take responsibility for both Helping Business and Services Promotion.
"This unit will not be some far flung quango. It will be part of my own office and its head will report directly to me," Mr Tsang said today (Wednesday) in his annual Budget address to the Legislative Council.
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