Real estate agents yesterday demanded the government reverse its 15 per cent stamp duty on the sale of homes.
The Joint Council of Estate Agents Associations said it planned to hold a mass rally next month against the measures, which aim to curb speculation in the property market.
The Estate Agents Management Association's former president Alfred Tso Shiu-wai estimated sales of flats would shrink by 30 per cent, about 1,000 property agency outlets would close and about 10,000 agents would lose their jobs in the next six months unless the government changed course.
This came as Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah told lawmakers yesterday he would introduce more anti-speculation measures if necessary.
'We will continue to monitor the situation and put forward suitable measures whenever necessary,' he said.
'If you think the change in interest rate will affect you, it is not a suitable time to buy property. The interest rate will rise definitely, but I cannot say when it will rise.' Tsang was speaking in the Legislative Council to start an annual government budget consultation amid soaring inflation and property prices.
