Hong Kong looking forward to brighter future, says survey

Most businesspeople in Hong Kong expect the economy to continue to struggle next year, then pick up steam in 2004, according to a survey by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce published yesterday.

About percent of respondents believe economic growth in 2003 will be the same as this year, while about 36 percent think it will be even worse next year, the annual poll found. That compares with almost 15 percent who expect the economy to improve, the South China Morning Post reported yesterday.

In the longer term, there is more optimism, with about 42 percent of businesses expecting the economy to strengthen in 2004, while 30 percent think it will stay the same.

The survey, first conducted in 1998, asked 41 questions covering seven categories, including relations with China.