The value of Hong Kong's total exports of goods rose to $245.7 billion in February, up 1.7% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

It followed a year-on-year increase of 18.1% in January exports.

The value of imports decreased 3.2% to $288.5 billion for February, after a year-on-year increase of 23.8% in January.

A trade deficit of $42.7 billion, or 14.8% of the value of imports, was recorded in February.

Comparing the three-month period ending February with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports increased 3.7%, while that of imports rose 4.2%.