The Government said today that it will gazette on May 20 the extension of 34 groups of existing waivers and concessions of government fees and charges for one more year to benefit a wide range of sectors as announced in the 2022-23 Budget.

The waivers and concessions will be implemented progressively from October, benefitting the sectors ranging from aviation, maritime, logistics, agriculture and fisheries, retail, catering, construction to tourism and entertainment.

The extension is estimated to reduce government revenue by about $1.7 billion.

The 34 groups of waivers and concessions of government fees and charges were introduced from October 2019 for one year to ease the operating pressure of businesses, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, in the face of the economic downturn and the COVID-19 epidemic.

In view of the ongoing impact of the epidemic, the measure had twice been extended for one year.

Meanwhile, the Construction Industry Council will further extend the waiving of registration and renewal fees of construction workers for a year until September 30, 2023.

The Government will submit the related subsidiary legislation to the Legislative Council on May 25 for negative vetting.

Click here for the waiver and concession details.