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 Labour Department today announced that it will continue to provide a free COVID-19 testing service for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs).
The department explained that mobile specimen collection stations will continue to be set up at the popular gathering places of FDHs on Sundays in April and the day following Ching Ming Festival, April 5.
Mobile specimen collection stations will be set up at Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct in Central, Hing Fat Street entrance of Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Lai Chi Kok Park entrance and the Tsuen Wan Park entrance.
The four stations will run from 10am to 5pm and no prior appointment is required.
FDHs should bring their Hong Kong identity cards or passports and register their personal information on the spot at the government website.
If necessary, duty officers can assist in the registration. The testing agent will not acquire or retain participants’ personal information.
Participants will be notified of a negative test result via SMS. Positive cases will be referred to the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up and the Department of Health will contact those confirmed as being infected with the virus.
The Labour Department called on FDHs to participate in the free testing to safeguard their health. It also appealed to employment agencies and employers to arrange for them to receive the free testing service at designated mobile specimen collection stations.
Call 2157 9537 or email the department for enquiries.
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