According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for October – December 2018) released today (January 17) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood a… read more
Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for November 2018 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (January 17) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.
In November 2018, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods decreased by 2.9% over November 2017. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 1.8%.
Comparing the first eleven months of 2018 with the same period in 2017, the volume of Hong Kong’s total exports of goods increased by 6.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 7.4%.
Comparing the three-month period ending November 2018 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods decreased by 1.9%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods decreased by 4.2%.
Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
Comparing November 2018 with November 2017, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.5%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.5%.
As regards price changes in the first eleven months of 2018 over the same period in 2017, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.5%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.6%.
Price changes in external merchandise trade are reflected by changes in unit value indices of external merchandise trade, which are compiled based on average unit values or, for certain commodities, specific price data.
The terms of trade index is derived from the ratio of price index of total exports of goods to that of imports of goods. Compared with the same periods in 2017, the index remained virtually unchanged in November 2018, whereas it decreased by 0.1% in the first eleven months of 2018.
Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.
Comparing November 2018 with November 2017, a double-digit decline of 26.1% was recorded for the total export volume to India. Concurrently, the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland) and Taiwan decreased by 8.0% and 4.8% respectively. On the other hand, the total export volume to Japan and the USA increased by 1.5% and 4.0% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to the Mainland, Japan and the USA increased by 3.5%, 3.0% and 1.1% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to Taiwan and India decreased by 0.2% and 4.0% respectively.
Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.
Comparing November 2018 with November 2017, the import volume from Taiwan, Japan and the Mainland decreased by 13.9%, 4.6% and 2.1% respectively. On the other hand, the import volume from the USA and Singapore increased by 5.6% and 14.1% respectively.
Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from Singapore, the Mainland, Japan and the USA increased by 4.0%, 3.4%, 2.7% and 1.3% respectively. On the other hand, the import prices from Taiwan decreased by 0.8%.
Further information
Details of the above statistics are published in the November 2018 issue of “Hong Kong Merchandise Trade Index Numbers”. Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp230.jsp?productCode=B1020006).
Enquiries on merchandise trade indices may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4918). read more
The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) Task Force announced today (January 17) the invitation of proposals from interested parties to take up the role of intermediaries to design and adminis… read more
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, January 17, 2019 is 103.6 (up 0.1 against yesterday’s index). read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (January 17) closely monitoring five additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between December 1 to 31 last year. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.
According to the WHO, among the four male patients and one female patient, aged 45 to 80, all had underlying illnesses, three had consumed camel milk and one had contact with previously confirmed patients.
According to the latest information, 2 279 cases have been reported to the WHO (with 806 deaths), including 2 060 in 10 Middle East countries comprising 1 901 in the KSA, 87 in the United Arab Emirates, 28 in Jordan, 19 in Qatar, 11 in Oman, six in Iran, four in Kuwait, two in Lebanon, and one each in Yemen and Bahrain.
“We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
“Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus,” the spokesman said.
Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the WHO’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more