Further to the external merchandise trade statistics in value terms for March 2018 released earlier on, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 10) the volume and price statistics of external merchandise trade for that month.

     In March 2018, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods increased by 5.3% over March 2017. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 8.1%.

     For the first quarter of 2018 as a whole, the volume of Hong Kong's total exports of goods increased by 7.3% over the same period in 2017. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 8.2%.

     Comparing the first quarter of 2018 with the fourth quarter of 2017 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 2.2%. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods increased by 2.9%.

     Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.

     Comparing March 2018 with March 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 quarter of 2018 over the same period in 2017, the prices of total exports of goods increased by 2.3%. Concurrently, the prices of imports of goods increased by 2.3%.

     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 both March 2018 and the first quarter of 2018.

     Changes in the unit value and volume of total exports of goods by main destination are shown in Table 1.

     Comparing March 2018 with March 2017, a double-digit growth of 13.7% was recorded for the total export volume to the mainland of China (the Mainland). On the other hand, the total export volume to Vietnam, Japan and the USA decreased by 0.5%, 2.6% and 3.3% respectively, while the total export volume to India decreased substantially, by 35.9%.

     Over the same period of comparison, the total export prices to the Mainland, the USA, Japan and India increased by 3.0%, 2.5%, 2.1% and 0.3% respectively. On the other hand, the total export prices to Vietnam decreased by 0.5%.

     Changes in the unit value and volume of imports of goods by main supplier are shown in Table 2.

     Comparing March 2018 with March 2017, the import volume from Taiwan increased substantially, by 32.5%. Concurrently, the import volume from Singapore, Korea and the Mainland increased by 19.8%, 9.0% and 0.8% respectively. On the other hand, the import volume from Japan slightly decreased by 0.2%.

     Over the same period of comparison, the import prices from all main suppliers increased: Korea (+5.6%), Taiwan (+2.1%), the Mainland (+2.0%), Japan (+1.4%) and Singapore (+1.4%).

Further information

     Details of the above statistics are published in the March 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).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Transport Department today (May 10) announced that the auction of traditional vehicle registration marks will be held on May 27 (Sunday), in Meeting Room S421, L4, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.
 
     "A total of 280 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public auction. The list of marks has been posted at the department's website, www.td.gov.hk," a department spokesman said.
 
     Applicants who have paid a deposit of $1,000 to reserve a mark for auction should also participate in the bidding (including the first bid at the reserve price of $1,000). Otherwise, the mark may be sold to another bidder at the reserve price.
 
     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:
 
(a) Successful bidders are required to produce the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:
(1) the identity document of the successful bidder;
(2) the identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;
(3) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and
(4) a crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders can also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS). Payment by post-dated cheques, cash or other methods will not be accepted.
 
(b) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the memorandum will not be permitted.
 
(c) A vehicle registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate.
 
(d) Special registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special registration mark shall be cancelled.
 
(e) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.
 
     For other auction details, please refer to the Guidance Notes – Auction of Vehicle Registration Marks, which can be downloaded from the department's website, www.td.gov.hk.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, May 10, 2018 is 99.3 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 9) seized about 1.4 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.4 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A 21-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, yesterday afternoon. During Customs clearance, three liquor bottles with the suspected liquid cocaine inside were found in her luggage. The woman was then arrested.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).