The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 13) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for April 2025.
 
     The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs decreased from 43.5 in March 2025 in the contractionary zone to 41.2 in April 2025, whereas the one-month's ahead (i.e. May 2025) outlook DI on business receipts was 43.6. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts for majority of the surveyed sectors dropped in April 2025 as compared with previous month, particularly for the import and export trades (from 45.1 to 40.2) and business services (from 48.4 to 45.3).
       
     The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades decreased from 46.6 in March 2025 to 42.0 in April 2025, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month's time (i.e. May 2025) was 43.8.
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that business sentiment among SMEs and their outlook in one month's time both weakened in April, as the headwinds and uncertainties in the external environment increased sharply after the United States (US) announced significant increases in import tariffs last month. The overall employment situation also softened.
 
     Looking ahead, while trade tensions have eased somewhat of late, the uncertainty of US' trade policy will still affect the economic outlook and business sentiment. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.
 
Further information
 
     The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to establishments with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent establishments in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled "Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey" released by the C&SD.
 
     The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own establishments rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents' perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
 
     More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300).
 
     Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 13) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Rural Municipality of Wallace of Manitoba Province in Canada, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat and eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Canada in the first three months of this year. 

     "The CFS has contacted the Canadian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (May 13) that new quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland will be implemented. With effect from June 3, the Mainland will be included in Group IIIA. Cats and dogs imported from the Mainland that meet the relevant quarantine requirements and are accompanied by an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians will have their quarantine period significantly reduced from the current 120 days to 30 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. The new arrangements will facilitate animal owners in bringing their pet cats and dogs from the Mainland to Hong Kong.

     Applicants who import cats and dogs from the Mainland must ensure that the animals comply with the requirements of Group IIIA and submit the necessary proof to the AFCD. These include having the animals implanted with a conforming microchip, holding a valid vaccination certificate for rabies and designated infectious diseases, obtaining satisfactory results from rabies antibody titer testing conducted at a laboratory approved by the AFCD on a blood sample taken not less than 90 days and not more than one year before departure, and possessing an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians.

     An AFCD spokesman said that to ensure strict implementation of the relevant quarantine regulations, the AFCD has agreed with the Mainland authorities that official veterinarians of Shenzhen Customs will issue the animal health certificates in the first phase of implementation. Detailed requirements for issuing health certificates by the Mainland can be obtained from Shenzhen Customs. Details of the quarantine arrangements and the application procedures for importing cats and dogs from the Mainland, including the method of reserving quarantine facilities and information on recognised laboratories on the Mainland, are available on the AFCD website.

     The AFCD will continue to closely refer to the latest information on animal diseases announced by the World Organisation for Animal Health, and optimise the quarantine requirements of imported dogs and cats in a timely manner based on operational experience, risk assessment and other factors.

     ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) announced that Hunan cuisine restaurant brand, LAOMAQUE, officially opened its first restaurant outside the Mainland in Hong Kong today (May 13), marking the well-established Hunan brand's strategic expansion into the Greater Bay Area (GBA) market.

     Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Mr Arnold Lau, said, "We welcome LAOMAQUE to our vibrant culinary landscape, celebrating the rich flavours of healthy and fresh Hunan cuisine. This addition not only enhances Hong Kong's diverse dining scene but also strengthens our position as a global gastronomic destination."

     Located in Wan Chai, LAOMAQUE views this new location as a strategic building block in extending LAOMAQUE's presence throughout the GBA. "The decision to set up in Hong Kong aligns perfectly with LAOMAQUE's central strategy of establishing a strong foothold in the GBA and fulfilling our ambition to become the premier Hunan restaurant brand in the region," said the CEO of LAOMAQUE, Mr Dai Yong.

     LAOMAQUE was awarded the "Dazhong Dianping Must-Eat List" and "Guangdong top 50 restaurants". The group's brand "Cheers" was selected in the Guangzhou Michelin Guide from 2022 to 2024.

     LAOMAQUE specialises in seafood from Hunan cuisine, with its signature dishes including "boiled fish fillet with soybean milk" and "chop chili and steam fish head". Its dishes have been well received by customers for breaking the stereotype of Hunan cuisine as being overly spicy and greasy. Before entering the Hong Kong market, the restaurant attracted repeat requests from the city's visitors to set up a presence in Hong Kong. Timed with new market opportunities, the group now officially enters the Hong Kong market, showing its full commitment to and confidence in the Hong Kong market.

     "There is a saying in Hunan that 'The old sparrow of Dongting Lake, no stranger to stormy waves.' The name LAOMAQUE is inspired by this local proverb, with an underlying philosophy originating from Dongting Lake – the 'old sparrow' brings with it an abundance of seafood and ingredients. With over two decades of adhering to strict standards in food sourcing and preparation, LAOMAQUE has built a loyal patronage, including many from Hong Kong. Over the next one to three years, we aim to open more outlets across the city. In response to market trends and consumer feedback, the brand continues to update its menu and services and introduce banquet-style restaurants with mid-to-high-end private dining to cater to the diverse needs of its customers," added Mr Dai.

     The Hong Kong operation serves as a regional office, overseeing day-to-day operations, scouting additional sites for expansion, and recruiting local talent. LAOMAQUE is committed to bringing healthy and modernised Hunan cuisine to a broad audience.

     To get a copy of the photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720326073089.

    

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 is 104.8 (down 0.1 against yesterday's index).