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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

Mainland experts inspect HK facilities

The Mainland epidemic prevention and control expert delegation today conducted its visit in Hong Kong for the second day to inspect local institutions and facilities related to anti-epidemic work and exchange views with relevant personnel.   The delegation first visited the Hong Kong International Airport to learn about the measures implemented there to guard against the importation of cases. These included segregation arrangements for Mainland and international flights, the requirements for airport workers to be vaccinated and undergo more frequent testing, etc.   They also inspected the sampling of imported frozen food by the Centre for Food Safety at the airport's Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal.   This was followed by a visit to the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre to ascertain the Hospital Authority's treatment for COVID-19 patients. The members were briefed on the measures and restrictions applicable to catering premises in a restaurant in Tung Chung.   The group then stopped by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port to gain more understanding on the quarantine, immigration and customs clearance for passengers and goods vehicles. Afterwards, they proceeded to Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre to find out about its latest operations.   The delegation also surveyed the Centre for Health Protection’s Contact Tracing Office at Kai Tak Community Hall to understand the epidemiological investigations and contact tracing for confirmed cases.
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