Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, today (December 24) on the land sale programme for January to March 2013:
Reporter: What is so special about the six sites? Do you think developers' interests will be affected by the new taxes?
Secretary for Development: These six sites altogether will produce about 3,000 units. This number is the highest number of flat production in the current financial year. As to the interest of developers, we are not worried because there are still very keen demands for housing units in Hong Kong.
Reporter: How does the Government respond to developers' comments concerning the new taxes?
Secretary for Development: The Government is very firm in terms of managing the demand for housing units, because at this stage, demand for housing units of Hong Kong people is still unmet to a certain extent. Given that land resource is a scarce commodity in Hong Kong, the priority is always to give top priority to Hong Kong citizens.
Reporter: Will the Government hold further meetings with the Real Estate Developers Association?
Secretary for Development: There is no such plan yet at this stage.
Reporter: What major terms and conditions will be included in the two sites in Kai Tak?
Secretary for Development: For the two sites in Kai Tak, as mentioned before, we will apply the Hong Kong Property for Hong Kong People policy on these two sites.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, December 24, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:39
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