HONG KONG, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Hong Kong will give more handouts to consumers to support the city's recovery from a prolonged economic downturn induced by COVID-19 restrictions, Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced in the 2023/24 budget on Wednesday.
"However, the economic recovery is still in its initial stage, and there is a need for our people and businesses to regain vigour."
Hong Kong counts on increased cross-border business with mainland China, which has also given up enforcing COVID rules.
Hong Kong usually runs balanced budgets or surpluses, since its pegged currency system commits it to fiscal prudence, but still has ample reserves.
($1 = 7.8488 Hong Kong dollars)Additional reporting by Jessie Pang and Donny Kwok; Writing by Marius Zaharia; Editing by Jacqueline WongOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.