Business receipts in value terms of all major service industries showed increases of different magnitudes in the first quarter of 2018 when compared with the first quarter of 2017, according to the provisional figures of b… read more
The total gross value of construction works performed by main contractors in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 12.1% in nominal terms over a year earlier to $65.9 billion, according to the provisional results of the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output released today (June 11) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD).
After discounting the effect of price changes, the provisional results showed that the total gross value of construction works performed by main contractors increased by 7.4% in real terms over the same period.
Gross value of construction works in real terms is derived by deflating the corresponding nominal value with an appropriate price index to the price level in the base period of 2000.
Analysed by type of construction works, the gross value of construction works performed at private sector sites totalled $19.8 billion in the first quarter of 2018, up by 8.9% in nominal terms over a year earlier. In real terms, it increased by 7.5%.
The gross value of construction works performed at public sector sites increased by 13.3% in nominal terms over a year earlier to $23.4 billion in the first quarter of 2018. In real terms, it increased by 8.1%.
The gross value of construction works performed by main contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $22.7 billion in the first quarter of 2018, up by 13.8% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. In real terms, it increased by 6.6%. Construction works at locations other than construction sites included minor new construction activities and decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings; and electrical equipment installation and maintenance works at locations other than construction sites.
Analysed by major end-use group, the gross value of construction works performed at construction sites in respect of residential buildings projects amounted to $17.9 billion in the first quarter of 2018, up by 16.2% in nominal terms over a year earlier. Over the same period, the gross value of construction works performed at construction sites in respect of transport projects up by 5.1% in nominal terms to $12.8 billion in the first quarter of 2018.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, the gross value of construction works performed by main contractors increased by 5.3% in nominal terms and increased by 3.5% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the fourth quarter of 2017.
Table 1 shows the provisional figures on the gross value of construction works performed by main contractors in the first quarter of 2018. Tables 2 and 3 show the revised figures for the whole year of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017 respectively.
Owing to the widespread sub-contracting practices in the construction industry, a construction establishment can be a main contractor for one contract and a sub-contractor for another contract at the same time. The gross value of construction works performed by main contractors covers only those projects in which the construction establishment takes the role of a main contractor, but not projects in which it takes only the role of a sub-contractor. However, sub-contractors’ contribution to projects should have been included in the gross value of construction works performed by main contractors for whom they worked.
The classification of construction establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in “Report on the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output, 1st Quarter 2018”. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp330.jsp?productCode=B1090002).
For enquiries about the survey results, please contact the Construction and Miscellaneous Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 6965 or email: building@censtatd.gov.hk). read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (June 11) announced that a sample of Chinese chives was found to have pesticide residue at a level exceeding the legal limit. The CFS … read more
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, June 11, 2018 is 99.6 (down 0.1 against last Saturday’s index).
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, June 9, 2018 is 99.7 (same as last Friday’s index). read more
The owner of a motorcycle workshop, Safety Motorcycle Accessories Company, located at Wood Road in Wan Chai, illegally handled spent lubricating oil and was fined $7,000 by Eastern Magistrates’ Courts today (June 11) for contravening the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) conducted a blitz inspection at Wood Road in Wan Chai last November. It was found that the motorcycle workshop concerned illegally deposited spent lubricating oil, which is classified as chemical waste, on the pavement outside the workshop and the spent lubricating oil was not properly labelled and stored in accordance with the statuary requirements. After the EPD’s investigation, it was confirmed that the owner of the maintenance workshop was not registered with the department as a chemical waste producer. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the owner concerned for contravening the Regulation.
An EPD spokesman explained that spent lubricating oil generated by vehicle maintenance workshops is classified as chemical waste and contains various toxic chemicals. Improper handling of such waste will cause the spent lubricating oil to leak into nearby drains and soil, which pollutes the environment and causes harm to public health.
The spokesman reminded all garage operators and workers engaged in the vehicle repairing business that they should register as chemical waste producers with the EPD in accordance with the above Regulation. Chemical waste must be properly packaged, labelled and stored, and has to be collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for treatment. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months’ imprisonment.
Members of the public may visit the EPD’s website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html. read more