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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

CE launches Policy Address sessions

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today held the first consultation session on the 2021 Policy Address to listen to stakeholders’ views on the upcoming address in respect of health technology.   More than 30 stakeholders attended the session, including a legislator, a university president and scientists, and representatives from a medicine faculty, scientific research institutions, private hospitals and venture capital funds.   There were also stakeholders from the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation and Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing.   Mrs Lam said after the two-hour consultation session that she had held very meaningful exchanges of views with the stakeholders.   She pointed out that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been pressing ahead with the development of innovation and technology (I&T) in the city, with innovative healthcare and health technology being one of the focus areas.   Mrs Lam noted that the COVID-19 anti-epidemic work has highlighted the importance of I&T application and that health technology should be widely used in society to meet the various challenges arising from the ageing population.   She added that Hong Kong has good prospects in developing health technology and exploring the immense business opportunities.   The Chief Executive thanked the stakeholders for their participation and views, adding that she would consider in full their opinions when formulating the Policy Address.   The session was also attended by Secretary for Innovation & Technology Alfred Sit, Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan, Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui, and other officials.   Mrs Lam will hold some 30 consultation sessions in the coming two months via face-to-face or video conferencing.    She will also meet specific groups and representatives as well as members of the public to listen to their views on various topics.
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