HONG KONG: The Hong Kong economy may see a negative growth in the first half of this year with a rebound likely in the second half, according to Donald Tsang, chief executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Addressing the Asian Financial Forum here yesterday, Tsang admitted that the local economy has been sliding into a negative growth from the fourth quarter of last year and said the trend would continue in the first half also.

Hong Kong GDP growth slowed from 4.2 percent in the second quarter to 1.7 percent in the third quarter last year.