Expected focus on property, economic revival and securitymedia
Property stamp duties could be trimmed for some
Childbirth cash incentive expected amid manpower crunch
National security expected to be emphasized

HONG KONG, Oct 24 Reuters Hong Kong is expected to announce lower stamp duties for some property transactions in an annual policy statement on Wednesday that will focus on stabilising an economy hurt by mass emigration from the city and economic weakness on the mainland.

Speaking a day before he was due to present policy plans to the legislature, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the focus would be on stimulating the economy and improving people39;s livelihoods.

For the property market a major pillar of the economy local media say Lee is expected to trim stamp duties for some, but not all property transactions.

The business community and homeowners want the government to roll back decadelong cooling measures that aimed to curb speculative activities in one of the world39;s priciest markets.

Home prices surged nearly 300 in the decade to 2019, when Hong Kong was rocked by antigovernment mass protests, the COVID pandemic, and a subsequent braindrain of hundreds of thousands of people amid a national security crackdown.

Since then home prices have fallen 13, amid rising interest rates and a bleak economic outlook.

In August, property prices dropped to a sevenmonth low, and realtors expect them to end 2023 as much as 5 down.

Transaction volumes have…