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The Government today (June 7) appealed to the transport trade not to take drastic action that will cause inconvenience to the public when expressing their concerns over the fuel price.
A Government spokesman said, "The Government fully understands the impact high fuel prices have brought about on various trades and industries. We are much concerned and sympathetic towards those who are affected."
"The high fuel prices have added to the operation cost of drivers and operators of commercial vehicles. The Government is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to listen to the views put forward by the transport trade."
The spokesman said that it is the Government's established policy to tax vehicular fuel on fiscal, environmental or transport grounds.
"With the introduction of a concessionary duty of $0.56 per litre for Euro V diesel since December last year, down from the original rate of $2.89 per litre and the concessionary duty rate of $1.11 per litre for ultra low sulphur diesel, duty on diesel currently represents less than 5 % of its retail price."
"This duty incidence is already among the lowest in the world."
Nonetheless, the Government has undertaken to review the concessionary duty rate on Euro V diesel, the spokesman added.
In connection with the protest activities to be held by the transport trade on Tuesday (June 10), the spokesman called upon members to express their views in a calm and rational manner, and refrain from taking drastic actions that will cause inconvenience to the public.
The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the Transport Department will monitor the traffic situation closely on June 10.
Ends/Saturday, June 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:24
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