{"id":234891,"date":"2026-01-12T22:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T22:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/234891\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T22:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T22:30:09","slug":"hong-kongs-budget-set-for-25th-february-as-capital-deficit-forecast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/234891\/","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong’s Budget set for 25th February as capital deficit forecast"},"content":{"rendered":"


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11th January 2026 \u2013 (Hong Kong) Financial Secretary Paul Chan has indicated that Hong Kong\u2019s capital account will record a deficit for the current financial year, framing it as a necessary investment in the city\u2019s long-term economic future. In a blog post published ahead of the formal Budget address on 25th February, Chan attributed the shortfall to accelerated public works spending, particularly on the ambitious Northern Metropolis development strategy.<\/p>\n

The Financial Secretary explained that the returns on such foundational infrastructure projects typically materialise over the long term, well after their completion. To support this sustained investment without over-extending public finances, the government plans to \u201cappropriately issue bonds\u201d to leverage market capital for development funding.<\/p>\n

Chan sought to reassure the public regarding the territory\u2019s fiscal health, noting that the ratio of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region\u2019s outstanding debt to its Gross Domestic Product remains at approximately 12 per cent. He described this level as \u201cvery healthy\u201d by international standards, suggesting significant headroom for strategic borrowing.<\/p>\n


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