The Government's determination to safeguard economic freedom in Hong Kong is beyond doubt, for free market principles are the cornerstones of the city's sustained economic development and prosperity, Acting Chief Executive Carrie Lam says.
Speaking ahead of an Executive Council meeting today, Mrs Lam welcomed the Heritage Foundation's ranking of Hong Kong as the world's freest economy for the 22nd consecutive year.
She noted that among the 10 components measured in the report, Hong Kong achieved a high score of 90 or above in seven components, with the top positions in Business Freedom, Trade Freedom and Financial Freedom.
"The HKSAR Government will continue to uphold free market principles by providing a favourable business environment, ensuring fair competition and free trade, maintaining a simple tax regime with low tax rates, and keeping an efficient public sector. But of course, as other economies continue to move forward, we must continuously make improvements in various aspects in order to preserve Hong Kong's leading position in economic freedom," Mrs Lam added.
