The value of Hong Kong’s total exports decreased to $284.1 billion in February, down 0.8% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today. The value of imports of goods fell 1.8% to $325.7 billion for the same period. A trade deficit of $41.7 billion, or 12.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in February. Comparing the three-month period ending February with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 5.5%, while that of imports also increased 3.3%. The Government noted that taking the first two months of the year together to remove the volatility caused by the difference in timing of the Lunar New Year, the value of exports posted a 16.6% growth against a very low base of comparison a year ago. Exports to the Mainland and the US rose notably, while those to the European Union fell. Those to other major Asian markets recorded a mixed performance. Looking ahead, the Gove
The Government today said it is gravely concerned about the European Union's (EU) announcement of implementing an export control mechanism, and if necessary, banning the export of COVID-19 vaccines.
The EU's announcement stated that it will strive to ensure the new regulation does not affect the exports under advance purchase agreements already entered into between vaccine manufacturers and third parties.
The Government has proactively followed up with the vaccine manufacturers it has advance purchase agreements with to ensure that the vaccines procured can be supplied to Hong Kong as scheduled.
It has indicated to Fosun Pharma that it should reach out to the various relevant parties to ensure that the Fosun/BioNTech vaccine to be exported for supply to Hong Kong under the advance purchase agreement will not be affected.
The Government will closely monitor the development of the situation.
It will also continue to negotiate purchase agreements with vaccine manufacturers from around the world and the Mainland to obtain more supplies of vaccines which meet the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality, and strive for the early supply of the vaccines to Hong Kong.
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