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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

3 temporary jab centres to open

The Government announced that it will set up three pop-up community vaccination centres at Tuen Mun Town Hall, Wo Hing Playground in Fanling and Sha Tin Town Hall next week. Online reservations can be made from 9am on February 14.   The centres in Tuen Mun and Fanling will come into operation from February 16, while the one in Sha Tin will open from February 18. They will operate daily from 9am to 6pm and last for six weeks.   Each centre, where eligible people may receive their first, second or third vaccine dose, can provide over 1,000 BioNTech jab doses to the public every day.   Same-day tickets will also be distributed at the three centres to those aged 60 or above.   Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip said the Government is increasing the vaccination capacity through different means to facilitate citizens who meet the age requirement to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
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