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Table 1 Chronology of events related to alcohol tax policy in Hong Kong (2000–2008)

From: The alcohol industry lobby and Hong Kong’s zero wine and beer tax policy

Year

Month

Event

2000

June

A commissioned consultancy study on the assessment of Hong Kong’s potential to develop into a distribution and trading centre is completed by the Trade and Industry Bureau together with Hong Kong Trade Development Council (1999–2000).

2000

August

Financial Secretary Donald Tsang indicates Hong Kong is well placed to develop into a wine distribution hub for Asia.

2001

February

Financial Secretary Donald Tsang proposes to increase the duty rate on beer from 30 percent to 40 percent.

2002

February

Financial Secretary Anthony Leung proposes to increase the duty rate on wine from 60 percent to 80 percent.

2002

 

Coalition of alcohol industry actors (HKWSIC) begins to form.

2002

June

Legislator Tommy Cheung requests the government to provide a timeline for the development of wine hub

2004

December

The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau launches a Public Consultation on the Duty on Alcoholic Beverages.

2006

January

The HKWSIC calls for alcohol tax cut in a media interview

2006

November

The HKWSIC urges the government to lower alcohol duties at press conference

2006

December

The Liberal Party and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong support the alcohol duty reduction

2007

February

The HKWSIC hosts a press conference to advocate the alcohol tax reduction

2007

February

Financial Secretary Henry Tang proposes to reduce the duty rate on beer from 40 percent to 20 percent, and on wine from 80 percent to 40 percent.

2008

January

The HKWSIC submits its proposal on Hong Kong as a wine hub to the Treasury Bureau

2008

February

The HKWSIC hosts a press conference to urge the government to slash alcohol taxes

2008

February

Financial Secretary John Tsang proposes to exempt the duties on wine and beer and all other alcoholic beverages except spirits.

2008

June

Amendment of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance Cap. 109 which provides for suspension of the licensing/permit requirement for import/export, storage, manufacturing and movement of the selected alcoholic liquors.