Policy Programmes

Programme (1): Director of Bureau's Office

This Programme is aimed to ensure the smooth operation of the Office of the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. The Office of the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury is responsible for providing support to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury in undertaking political work. This includes the support provided by the Under Secretary and the Political Assistant. The Office is also responsible for providing administrative support to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury in carrying out his duties. The work includes the planning, co-ordination and implementation of all arrangements for the Secretary's public, media and community functions.

Programme (2): Revenue and Financial Control

The Treasury Branch aims to manage the allocation of resources; oversee the Government's tax and other revenue-raising policies; facilitate decisions on government investments; and promote open, fair, competitive and pro-innovation government procurement, in line with the value for money principles and other policy objectives of the Government.

The Treasury Branch's work under this programme is to formulate, co-ordinate and support policies and actions to:

• ensure that the growth of government expenditure over time is commensurate with the growth of the economy;
• ensure that the resources available are directed towards those areas where they will be of most benefit to the community, with due regard to government affordability and fiscal sustainability;
• improve Hong Kong's competitiveness and living environment by investing in major infrastructure projects;
• maintain a simple and low tax system which encourages investments and facilitates businesses;
• enhance tax transparency, combat tax evasion and minimise opportunities for tax avoidance;
• promote value for money and adherence to the “cost recovery” and “user pays” principles in the delivery of government services; and
• manage the fiscal reserves to meet the daily operational needs of the Government, secure investment income, provide for unfunded liabilities and commitments, serve as a cushion against future uncertainties, etc.

Programme (3): Service Departments

This Programme is aimed to ensure that government departments receive the central support services necessary to enable them to maintain and upgrade the level and quality of the services they provide to the public in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

The Treasury Branch's work under this programme is to formulate and co-ordinate policies and actions to:

• ensure the efficient and cost-effective delivery of central support services under its purview (e.g. financial information management, procurement, supplies management, land transport, printing and accommodation);
• ensure that the service departments under its purview provide quality support services to meet the needs of the user bureaux and departments; and
• collaborate with relevant bureaux and departments to ensure that government policy objectives (e.g. promotion of pro-innovation government procurement, protection of non-skilled workers engaged under government service contracts, socially caring leasing arrangements, and the “single site, multiple use” initiative) are met through the central support services.