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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

Counting process review needed

Electoral Affairs Commission Chairman Barnabas Fung today said the polling process of the 2021 Election Committee Subsector Ordinary Elections went smoothly but a thorough review regarding the counting process should be done.   The counting of votes was completed at 6.29am.   Speaking to the media this morning, Mr Fung said about 4,380 voters have casted their votes, with a cumulative turnout rate of nearly 90%.   He said all election arrangements have reflected the principles of openness, fairness and honesty. However, the processes of ballot box delivery and counting were not satisfactory and the time taken was beyond reasonable expectation.   He noted that upon initial analysis, the counting staff lacked flexibility and they could not respond promptly and seek assistance when facing problems.   “There is absolutely no problem with any of the electronic devices causing unreasonable delay in the counting of votes today.   “The problem mainly lies with the hand fill-in ballot paper account. There are some minor discrepancies. And we are looking into it as to whether counting could still be conducted side-by-side (with) the reconciliation of the ballot paper account.”   The commission will review aspects for improvement and submit a report to the Chief Executive as prescribed by the law.   The commission is very thankful to the government departments involved, especially the Crisis Management Committee members which includes the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau, Police, the Home Affairs Department, the Information Services Department and the Department of Justice.   Mr Fung also thanked the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, members of the Electronic Poll Register (EPR) System Technical Advisory Committee, the Food & Health Bureau, as well as the Centre for Health Protection for their valuable advice about the EPR System and infection control measures.   The interim register of members of the new term Election Committee will be published on September 27, while the final register will take effect on October 22 in accordance with the law.  
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