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
The Buildings Department approved 17 building plans in September - six on Hong Kong Island, one in Kowloon and 10 in the New Territories.
Of the approved plans, nine were for apartment and apartment-commercial developments, one was for commercial development, five were for factory and industrial developments and two were for community services developments.
Consent was given for works to start on 12 building projects which will provide 180,439 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 3,129 units, and 23,933 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use.
The department also issued 24 occupation permits - six on Hong Kong Island, seven in Kowloon and 11 in the New Territories.
Buildings certified for occupation have 28,016 sq m of gross floor area for domestic use involving 603 units, and 41,871 sq m for non-domestic use.
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