Hong Kong: Legislators threaten revolt over beer prices

Hong Kong lawmakers threatened Friday to stage a revolt to stop a reduction in the duty on beer after hearing that not all of the price cut was not being passed on to drinkers, Jurnalo published May 25.

Beer duty in the city of 6.9 million was cut from 40 to 20 per cent in Financial Secretary Henry Tang's March budget, which became immediately effective but must be approved by legislators.

However, at a meeting Friday, the Hong Kong Beer Coalition, which represents suppliers, admitted prices in bars and shops had been cut by only around half the maximum possible amount.

Legislator Tommy Cheung urged the government to persuade beer companies to cut prices further and said a number of lawmakers would otherwise reverse the duty reduction by voting down the budget.

Hong Kong is already one of the world's most expensive places for drinkers with bar prices for a small bottle of beer ranging from 2.5 to 5.75 US dollars.