Lawmakers are set to review the government’s emergency funding proposal on Friday, which includes fuel subsidies for commercial vehicles as a key measure to support industries hard hit by the recent surge in fuel prices.

While the move has drawn widespread support, many are calling for assurances that the subsidies will actually reach frontline operators.

Under the plan, commercial vehicles would receive a subsidy of HK$3 per litre of diesel for two months, at an estimated total cost of HK$1.8 billion in public funds.

Legco transport panel chairman Ben Chan welcomed the initiative but raised concerns that oil companies might respond by further increasing their prices.

"My concern is: what mechanism do we have to stop oil companies from just eating up the subsidy?" he asked.

"If they keep raising fuel prices, how much help is HK$3 per litre really going to be? Is there any mechanism to make sure the subsidy actually helps the industry?"

Fellow transport panel member and lawmaker Chan Siu-hung also backed the proposed temporary measures, noting that the government’s financial resources are limited.

He said priority must go to those most severely affected, especially public services that impact not only industries but also ordinary citizens.

Chan also stressed the need for authorities to regularly monitor fuel inventories and market prices to prevent manipulation or misuse of the subsidy scheme.

"The government is already monitoring fuel inventory and prices. But with all this uncertainty, they need to step up their oversight," he said.

"And if they're getting data from the fuel companies, they'd better have measures to make sure public money isn't wasted, because nobody wants that."

Meanwhile, Business and Professionals Alliance lawmaker Ray Wong, who represents the industrial first sector, also welcomed the move.

"My colleagues and I closely watch the rebates mechanisms. The HK$3 per litre subsidy is only effective if it is reached to the frontline operators immediately," he said.

He noted the two-month time frame reflects the current situation in the Middle East and the ongoing war, calling it "a reasonable timescale".

"Of course, if something happens, we believe then that the government will take consideration to have a longer term or so."

Wong also hopes the subsidy will be expanded to support other industries affected by rising fuel costs.

"We have some members that mentioned to us, like the laundry industries and food delivery services, that they are facing a huge surge in operating costs, which creates a huge problem," he said.

"But I understand that right now the government is very focused on the transportation costs, which affect different levels of people living in Hong Kong, not only in industry.

"So we urge the government to consider expanding this to different industries, which are affected by the diesel price increase."



Edited by Tony Sabine