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Apr exports value down 13%

The value of Hong Kong's total exports decreased to $338.3 billion in April, down 13% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.   The value of imports of goods decreased 11.9% to $374.9 billion for the same period.   A trade deficit of $36.6 billion, or 9.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in April.   Comparing the three-month period ending April with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports rose 15.4%, while that of imports increased 10.7%.   The Government noted that the value of merchandise exports declined further from a year earlier in April. Exports to the Mainland, the US and the European Union all shrank and exports to other major Asian markets recorded decreases of varying degrees.   Looking ahead, it added that the weakness in the advanced economies will continue to weigh on Hong Kong's export performance, though the expected faster recovery of the Mainland economy should

Patrick Nip views jab service

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip visited the headquarters of Sun Hung Kai Properties today to view the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine to its staff through the Government’s outreach vaccination service.   Sun Hung Kai Properties is the first property developer to participate in the outreach vaccination service. About 200 staff members received the BioNTech jab at its Wan Chai headquarters today. The company grants staff vaccination leave on the day they get the jab and the following day.   Mr Nip said: “Staff members of developers and their subsidiary property management companies have a wide range of contact with the public. People can protect themselves and their families by receiving COVID-19 vaccines. It can also safeguard the health of employees and maintain normal business operations.   “This will create a win-win-win situation for employers and employees as well as their customers.”   He called on various industries to encourage their employees to get vaccinated to help Hong Kong build an immune barrier as soon as possible by significantly raising the vaccination rate during the three-month critical period from now until the end of August, hence restoring normality to society.   Mr Nip also thanked the medical team and administrative support staff of the community vaccination centre at Ho Man Tin Sports Centre for providing today's outreach service.   The Civil Service Bureau has provided the outreach vaccination service to the Hong Kong Sports Institute, global professional services enterprises and the construction industry. Interested enterprises and organisations may call 3904 1490 about the service.
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