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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

Public reminded of IRD relocation

The Inland Revenue Department today said most of its Wan Chai offices will be relocated to the newly built centre at Kai Tak by January 9, and citizens should note the office locations of its units and sections before visiting.   The business hours and contact telephone numbers of the respective offices will remain unchanged.   From January 9, only the Computer Back Up (Accounts) Section, Estate Duty Office, Refund Section and Tax Reserve Certificates Section will remain at Revenue Tower in Wan Chai. This arrangement will last until May tentatively.   The drop-in box currently located on the ground floor of Revenue Tower will stop providing services after 5.30pm on January 6.   People should use the drop-in box on the ground floor of the Inland Revenue Centre in Kai Tak for any drop-in service thereafter.   To facilitate system updates, the department’s 24-hour interactive enquiry service hotline 187 8088 will be suspended from 8.30am on January 7 to 5pm on January 8.   During that period, members of the public can visit the department’s website for tax information. They are also encouraged to use electronic services to handle tax affairs as far as possible.   Click here or call 187 8088 for relocation details.
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