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External merchandise trade statistics for March 2021

     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (April 27) the external merchandise trade statistics for March 2021. In March 2021, the values of Hong Kong’s total exports and imports of goods both recorded year-on-year increases, at 26.4% and 21.7% respectively.
 
     In March 2021, the value of total exports of goods increased by 26.4% over a year earlier to $409.1 billion, after a year-on-year increase of 30.4% in February 2021. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 21.7% over a year earlier to $436.1 billion in March 2021, after a year-on-year increase of 17.6% in February 2021. A visible trade deficit of $27.0 billion, equivalent to 6.2% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in March 2021.
 
     For the first quarter of 2021 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 33.2% over the same period in 2020. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 25.6%. A visible trade deficit of $67.0 billion, equivalent to 5.7% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first quarter of 2021.
 
     Comparing the first quarter of 2021 with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 19.4%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 13.8%.
 
Analysis by country/territory
 
     Comparing March 2021 with March 2020, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 27.9%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Taiwan (+51.0%), India (+39.2%), the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+31.3%) and Korea (+29.2%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to Singapore (-15.7%) and Japan (-15.0%).
 
     Apart from destinations in Asia, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the USA (+8.2%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Singapore (+45.1%), Vietnam (+39.5%), Taiwan (+34.9%) and Thailand (+27.2%). The value of imports from the Mainland also increased by 20.2%.
 
     For the first quarter of 2021 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular the United Kingdom (+130.2%), Taiwan (+49.1%), the Netherlands (+44.0%), the Mainland (+39.8%) and Korea (+34.6%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+45.6%), Taiwan (+40.6%), Singapore (+35.0%), the Mainland (+30.5%) and Korea (+26.6%).

Analysis by major commodity
 
     Comparing March 2021 with March 2020, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $54.0 billion or 38.6%), “non-metallic mineral manufactures” (by $9.3 billion or 113.2%), “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $6.7 billion or 18.2%) and “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $5.8 billion or 11.3%). However, a decrease was registered in the value of total exports of “power generating machinery and equipment” (by $2.9 billion or -33.4%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $47.0 billion or 31.9%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $9.9 billion or 19.3%), “non-metallic mineral manufactures” (by $4.5 billion or 42.0%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $4.0 billion or 13.1%). However, a decrease was registered in the value of imports of “power generating machinery and equipment” (by $1.8 billion or -18.7%).
 
     For the first quarter of 2021 as a whole, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $150.2 billion or 43.1%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $40.5 billion or 29.3%), “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $25.3 billion or 28.7%) and “non-ferrous metals” (by $14.1 billion or 139.4%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of total exports of “power generating machinery and equipment” (by $2.9 billion or -12.8%).
 
     Over the same period of comparison, year-on-year increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $132.5 billion or 34.7%), “telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment” (by $38.9 billion or 29.0%), “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $17.7 billion or 24.9%) and “miscellaneous manufactured articles (mainly jewellery, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ wares)” (by $11.2 billion or 21.0%). However, a year-on-year decrease was registered in the value of imports of “power generating machinery and equipment” (by $9.6 billion or -31.4%).
 
Commentary
 
     A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to grow strongly on a year-on-year basis in March on the back of a sharp rebound in global demand. Exports to many major markets including notably the Mainland registered visible increases. The value of total merchandise trade in March reached $845.2 billion, exceeding the $800 billion mark for the third time in the past four months. For the first quarter as a whole, total merchandise trade value surpassed the previous first-quarter high in 2018 by 13.2%.
 
     The global economic recovery led by the Mainland and the US should continue to support Hong Kong’s export performance in the period ahead. However, the pandemic development and other risk factors such as China-US relations and geopolitical tensions warrant attention. The Government will monitor the situation closely.
 
Further information
 
     Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for March 2021. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2018 to March 2021, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
 
     The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for March 2021 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
 
     Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for March 2021.
 
     All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for March 2021 will be released in mid-May 2021.
 
     The March 2021 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in March 2021 and will be available in mid-May 2021. Users can download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode230.html).
 
     Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5042). read more

East Asia

CHP investigates eight additional confirmed cases of COVID-19

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that as of 0.00am, April 27, the CHP was investigating eight additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 749 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 748 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     Among the newly reported cases announced, five are imported cases and three are epidemiologically linked with local cases.
 
     A total of 146 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (April 13 to 26), including 35 local cases (including 1 possibly local) of which 17 are from unknown sources.
 
     The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to the compulsory testing notice. The Regulation also requires all household members of close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within a specified period according to compulsory testing notices published in the Gazette. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop and undergo testing as soon as possible.
 
     The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).
 
     The CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with everyday tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.
 
     The spokesman said, “Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
 
     “The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
 
     “As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps). After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.”
 
     Moreover, the Government has launched the website “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the “StayHomeSafe” mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
 
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly. read more

East Asia