About HKRMA
Membership
Education/Training
Programs/Activities
Events/Conferences
Library Research
Press/Announcements
Overview
Press Releases
Announcements
 

Hong Kong Retail Management Association
To Launch Large-scale GST Customer Opinion Poll



(Hong Kong, 13 September 2006) － In response to the Hong Kong government's consultation paper on the introduction of a Goods and Services Tax (GST), released in July, the Hong Kong Retail Management Association ("Association"), with the wholehearted support of retailers, will conduct the largest-scale GST Customer Opinion Poll in Hong Kong, with details as follows:

1. From 9 October (Monday) to 15 October (Sunday), members of the Association operating retail outlets will invite their customers to participate in a GST Customer Opinion Poll by asking them to fill in a simple form declaring whether they are for or against GST.

2. The Association is seeking to poll at least one million consumers, in an effort to conduct a truly representative survey, which encourages consumers to register their views and actively fulfils the poll's theme "Say YES or NO to GST! You've got the right!".

3. Results of the poll are expected to be presented to the Financial Secretary in early November, with the aim of urging the government to listen to actual consumers.

The poll enables consumers, who will be among the first to be affected by GST, to give their opinion on the proposed tax by means of "one person, one vote". Mr. Bankee Kwan Pak-hoo, HKRMA Chairman, said: "The GST proposal is highly controversial. Industries that will be affected by GST are gradually making their stance known. However, the voice of consumers, who are directly affected by GST, is still fragmented. The Association has thus decided to initiate the first, and the largest-scale 'one person, one vote' poll that truly asks for and reflects consumers' views. We hope that consumers will enthusiastically exercise their rights and declare their stance on GST."

The Association is the largest retail association in Hong Kong, covering more than 5,000 retail outlets. It is opposed to the implementation of GST.


 
 

About HKRMA
The Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA) is the major association representing Hong Kong's retail industry. The Association's current membership represents over 500 major retail chains covering more than 5,000 retail outlets and employing two-thirds of the total retail workforce in Hong Kong. Member organizations are engaged in various types of retail businesses ranging from department stores to supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, food, fashion and accessories, specialty stores and industry related service organizations.

Issued by Hong Kong Retail Management Association on13/09/2006