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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

Games meeting to be held

The General Administration of Sport of China will later convene a meeting with Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau on preparation of the 15th National Games, Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui said today.   Mr Tsui told legislators today that the meeting will discuss the division of work, financial arrangements and other details of the games.   The central government announced on August 26 its agreement for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to host the 15th National Games in 2025.   He said a good foundation is in place for Hong Kong to take part in hosting the games, with Kai Tak Sports Park to be commissioned in 2023, the city having the Hong Kong Velodrome where many international competitions have been held and other sports facilities.   As for developing new and improving existing facilities, Mr Tsui noted that 21 of the 26 projects under the Five-Year Plan for Sports & Recreation Facilities have obtained funding approval from the Legislative Council, involving around $7.7 billion in total.   The 21 projects will provide three heated swimming pools and 15 open spaces for public use, the latter including two seven-a-side football pitches, two five-a-side football pitches, four tennis courts, eight basketball courts, two lawn bowling greens and two cycling grounds.   The approved projects will also implement pre-construction activities for redeveloping one sports ground and one amenity complex.   Facilities in seven of the approved projects have been opened or scheduled for opening this year for public use, he added.
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