The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 19) the preliminary figures of chain volume measures of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by economic activity for the first quarter of 2018.

     GDP figures by economic activity show the value of production in respect of individual economic activities. The value of production is measured by net output or value added, which is calculated by deducting intermediate input consumed in the process of production from the gross value of output. Volume measures of GDP by economic activity, expressed in terms of chain volume measures net of the effect of price changes, enable analysis of the output growth profiles of individual economic sectors in real terms.

     According to the preliminary figures, overall GDP increased by 4.7% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the 3.4% increase in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     Analysed by constituent services sector and on a year-on-year comparison, net output in respect of all the services activities taken together increased by 4.5% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the 3.4% increase in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     Net output in the import and export, wholesale and retail trades sector grew by 6.4% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, faster than the 3.6% increase in the fourth quarter of 2017. This sector registered notable growth amid buoyant regional trading activities and pick-up in retail trade during the quarter.

     Net output in the financing and insurance sector increased by 6.7% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, after the 5.9% rise in the fourth quarter of 2017. The solid growth in this sector was mainly underpinned by the active stock trading activities during the quarter.

     Net output in the accommodation services (covering hotels, guesthouses, boarding houses and other establishments providing short term accommodation) and food services sector rose by 5.9% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, following the growth of 3.9% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     Net output in the transportation, storage, postal and courier services sector increased by 5.1% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 4.9% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     Net output in the information and communications sector registered an increase of 3.1% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 2.9% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     Net output in the real estate, professional and business services sector rose by 2.1% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 1.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     Net output in the public administration, social and personal services sector recorded an increase of 3.5% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the growth of 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     As for sectors other than the services sectors, net output in the local manufacturing sector rose by 1.1% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, compared with the 0.8% growth in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     Net output in the electricity, gas and water supply, and waste management sector recorded an increase of 4.2% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier. Net output in this sector remained virtually unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2017.

     Net output in the construction sector increased by 2.4% in real terms in the first quarter of 2018 over a year earlier, as against the decrease of 2.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Further information

     The year-on-year percentage changes of GDP by economic activity in real terms from the first quarter of 2017 to the first quarter of 2018 are shown in Table 1. For enquiries about statistics on GDP by economic activity, please call the National Income Branch (2) of the C&SD at telephone number 3903 7005.

     Figures of chain volume measures of GDP by economic activity for the first quarter of 2018 are only preliminary at this stage. When more data become available, the preliminary figures will be revised accordingly. More detailed figures can also be found at the Hong Kong Statistics section of the C&SD website (www.censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr James Lau, visited Sha Tin District this morning (June 19).
 
     Mr Lau started his visit with a meeting with the Sha Tin District Council.  He had a good discussion with the Council's Chairman, Mr Ho Hau-cheung, and other members on a range of issues, including the use of fiscal surplus, banking services and the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises and securities brokers.
 
     He then proceeded to the Chinese University of Hong Kong and met with the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Rocky Tuan, and his senior staff members. They gave an overview of the Bachelor of Engineering Programme in Financial Technology (Fintech), the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The programme aims to nurture versatile Fintech professionals through multi-disciplinary training on financial infrastructure, mobile payments, distributed ledger technology, accounting and finance knowhow, and more.
 
     Mr Lau also had a discussion with winners of two Fintech hackathons about their winning projects. He said he was pleased with their enthusiasm and appreciated the University's efforts in nurturing Fintech talents who are also equipped with entrepreneurial skills.
 
     He later visited Standard Chartered Bank's mobile branch at Yan On Estate to learn about the services it offers and how the community has received it.
 
     Before concluding the visit, Mr Lau went to the HSBC Shek Mun Data Centre, which supports the bank's data management in collaboration with its main data centre and back-office departments. The Shek Mun centre features eco-friendly architectural design and was awarded the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum certification.

          

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 19) closely monitoring 75 additional cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), including 23 deaths, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between January 12 and May 31, 2018, and 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 59 male and 16 female patients aged 15 to 93, 57 of them had underlying illnesses, 24 had exposure to camels, and three were health care workers. Among these 75 cases, 21 cases were in two hospital clusters and two household clusters.

     According to the latest information, 2 220 cases have been reported to the WHO (with 790 deaths), including 2 003 in 10 Middle East countries comprising 1 844 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.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 is 100.7 (up 0.4 against last Saturday's index).
 
     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Saturday, June 16, 2018 was 100.3 (up 0.1 against last Friday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers in a female orthopaedic and traumatology ward, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital made the following update today (June 19):
 
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has performed contact tracing and four more patients (aged 80 to 99) were confirmed as VRE carrier without clinical symptoms. They are hospitalised and are in a stable condition.
 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.