Financial results for two months ended May 31, 2024

2024-06-28 16:30 Last Updated At：17:07

Government reports hk$77.5 billion deficit for two months ended may 31, 2024; fiscal reserves at hk$657.1 billion

The Government announced today (June 28) its financial results for the two months ended May 31, 2024.

Expenditure for the period April to May 2024 amounted to HK$120.6 billion and revenue HK$50.9 billion, resulting in a cumulative year-to-date deficit of HK$77.5 billion after taking into account the repayment of HK$7.8 billion principal on Government Bonds.

A Government spokesperson said that the cumulative year-to-date deficit for the period was mainly due to the fact that some major types of revenue including salaries and profits taxes are mostly received towards the end of a financial year.

The fiscal reserves stood at HK$657.1 billion as at May 31, 2024.

Detailed figures are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1. CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT (Note 1)

Month ended

May 31, 2024

HK$ million

Two months ended

May 31, 2024

HK$ million

Revenue

16,588.9

50,862.4

Expenditure

(58,658.4)

(120,593.3)

Deficit before repayment of

Government Bonds

(42,069.5)

(69,730.9)

Repayment of

Government Bonds

(7,800.5)

Deficit after repayment of

Government Bonds

(49,870.0)

(77,531.4)

Financing

Domestic

Banking Sector (Note 2)

49,067.6

75,017.2

Non-Banking Sector

802.4

2,514.2

External

Total

49,870.0

77,531.4

Government Debts as at May 31, 2024 (Note 3)

HK$184,707 million

Debts Guaranteed by Government as at May 31, 2024 (Note 4)

HK$143,723 million

TABLE 2. FISCAL RESERVES

Month ended

May 31, 2024

HK$ million

Two months ended

May 31, 2024

HK$ million

Fiscal Reserves at start of period

706,924.0

734,585.4

Consolidated Deficit after

repayment of Government Bonds

(49,870.0)

(77,531.4)

Fiscal Reserves at end of period

(Note 5)

657,054.0

Notes:

1. This Account consolidates the General Revenue Account and the following eight Funds: Capital Works Reserve Fund, Capital Investment Fund, Civil Service Pension Reserve Fund, Disaster Relief Fund, Innovation and Technology Fund, Land Fund, Loan Fund and Lotteries Fund. It excludes the Bond Fund, the balance of which is not part of the fiscal reserves. The Bond Fund balance as at May 31, 2024, was HK$283,051 million.

2. Includes transactions with the Exchange Fund and resident banks.

3. These were the Green Bonds (equivalent to HK$184,707 million as at May 31, 2024) issued under the Government Green Bond Programme. They were denominated in US dollars (US$8,950 million with maturity from January 2026 to January 2053), euros (4,580 million euros with maturity from January 2025 to November 2041), Renminbi (RMB31,500 million with maturity from November 2024 to June 2033) and Hong Kong dollars (HK$42,000 million with maturity from May 2025 to October 2026). They do not include the outstanding bonds with nominal value of HK$236,855 million and alternative bonds with nominal value of US$1,000 million (equivalent to HK$7,818 million as at May 31, 2024) issued under the Government Bond Programme (with proceeds credited to the Bond Fund). Of these bonds under the Government Bond Programme (including Silver Bonds with nominal value of HK$124,355 million, which may be redeemed before maturity upon request from bond holders), bonds with nominal value of HK$68,882 million will mature within the period from June 2024 to May 2025 and the rest within the period from June 2025 to May 2042.

4. Includes guarantees provided under the SME Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2001, the Special Loan Guarantee Scheme launched in 2008, the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme launched in 2012, Loan Guarantee Scheme for Cross-boundary Passenger Transport Trade, Loan Guarantee Scheme for Battery Electric Taxis and Loan Guarantee Scheme for Travel Sector launched in 2023, and a commercial loan of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

5. Includes HK$364,974 million, being the balance of the Land Fund held in the name of "Future Fund", for long-term investments up to December 31, 2030. The Future Fund also includes HK$4,800 million, being one-third of the actual surplus in 2015-16 as top-up.

CHP announces investigation progress of case of dengue fever

2024-06-30 19:50 Last Updated At：19:58

Investigation into dengue fever in tin shui wai continues: public urged to take precautionary measures and stay informed

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 30) continued its investigation into a case of dengue fever (DF)announcedon June 28. The CHP urged again the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel. Meanwhile, persons who have been to Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai with DF symptomsshould contact the CHP as soon as possible.

According to the latest findings of epidemiological investigations, no linked case has been identified by the CHP so far. The CHP has inspected the residence of the patient on June 28. Blood samples of the patient's two household contacts tested negative for dengue virus upon laboratory testing. As at 3pm today, the CHP has contacted over 3 000 residents from over 1 200 households of Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai. No suspected case is identified.

Officers of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Housing Department inspected the vicinity of Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai and enhanced the anti-mosquito work yesterday (June 29) morning. They also suggested the cleansing service contractor to strengthen mosquito control measures.

The CHP held a health talk jointly with the FEHD yesterday evening in the Tin Shui Community Centre, during which the CHP also conducted free DF antibody tests for people in the district with relevant symptoms.

Meanwhile, the CHP appeals to persons who have been to Tin Shui (1) Estate in Tin Shui Wai with DF symptoms to call the CHP's hotline (2125 2374) which is operatingfrom 9am to 1pm tomorrow(July 1) and will continue to operatefrom 9am to 5pmfrom July 2, Monday to Friday(excluding public holidays) for laboratory investigation or referral as appropriate. DF is clinically characterised by high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes and rash.

The CHP's investigations are ongoing.

The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:

Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;

Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;

Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;

Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;

Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;

Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and

Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing and uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.

DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:

Read the label instructions carefully first;

Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;

Apply on exposed skin and clothing;

Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;

Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and

Re-apply only when needed and follow the instructions.

* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.

The public should call1823in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF pages of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook PageandYouTube Channel.