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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

Clubhouse prosecuted for rule breach

The Home Affairs Department today prosecuted the licence holder of Scout Association of Hong Kong - Commissioners' Club and related people for suspected violations of anti-epidemic regulations.   According to an investigation, the licence holder of the clubhouse, the catering service contractor and two of its responsible persons allowed and arranged a banquet on April 10 in catering premises inside the clubhouse with the number of participants exceeding the limit of 20 people prevailing at the time.   They were suspected of violating relevant requirements and directions issued by the Secretary for Food & Health in relation to the clubhouse under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Requirements & Directions) (Business & Premises) Regulation (Cap 599F).   Separately, the catering service contractor and three people of the association that allowed the prohibited group gathering and the organisation of the banquet were suspected of violating the relevant restrictions on group gathering under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap 599G).   Having examined all available information, the department’s Office of the Licensing Authority applied to the court for a summons against the licence holder of the clubhouse, four summonses against the catering service provider and two of its responsible persons, and three summonses against the three people who organised the banquet at the clubhouse.   The cases will be heard in court.
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