On Thursday's Backchat, we're talking about how to make the best use of public funds at a time when all government departments are being asked to tighten their belts.

Legislators have been meeting all week in a Special Finance Committee session to quiz officials on their spending plans for the coming year amid projections of another budget deficit of $48 billion.


Some have raised questions about the cost of everything from the millions of dollars still being spent every month on preserving vacant COVID quarantine facilities to former Chief Executive’s Carrie Lam’s office.


Land matters are also high on the agenda, with the government preparing to submit its funding application for the first stage of the San Tin Technopole project that is one of the centrepiece’s of the Northern Metropolis project.


So how can the government best implement its plan to cut spending by 1% this year? And are there ways public funds can be better targeted?


After 9:45, we'll talk about Hong Kong's appeal to Muslim tourists looking for Halal-friendly restaurants.


9:05am-9:45am: Government spending


9:05am-9:30am: Andrew Leung, former Director General of Social Welfare; International and Independent China Strategist

9:05am-9:45am: Eli Konvitz, Vice-Chair of the Urban Land Institute Hong Kong and Adjunct Associate Professor in Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong

9:30am-9:45am: Vera Yuen, Lecturer in Economics, HKU Business School, The University of Hong Kong




9:45am-10:00am: Making Hong Kong a Halal-friendly destination

9:45am-10:00am:  Ilyas Mohammad Alex, Member, Committee on the Promotion of Racial Harmony and Former General Secretary at The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong