The values of Hong Kong's exports and imports continued strong year-on-year growth in June, the Census & Statistics Department says.

The value of total exports rose 18.2% over a year earlier to $168.3 billion, after a year-on-year increase of 15.7% in May. Within this total, the value of re-exports rose 19% to $157.2 billion in June, while the value of domestic exports increased 7.7% to $11.1 billion.

Concurrently, the value of imports rose 21.5% to $177.8 billion in June, after a year-on-year increase of 19.9% in May.

A visible trade deficit of $9.5 billion, equivalent to 5.4% of the value of imports was recorded. This was larger than the corresponding deficit of $4 billion, equivalent to 2.8% of the value of imports of goods recorded in June last year.

First half exports up 15.5%

For the first half of this year, the value of total exports rose 15.5% over the same period last year. Within this, the value of re-exports rose 16.5% and the value of domestic exports increased 2.3%.

Concurrently, the value of imports rose 19%. A visible trade deficit of $68.2 billion, equivalent to 6.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first half of the year. This was larger than the corresponding deficit of $33.4 billion, equivalent to 4% of the value of imports recorded in the same period last year.

Comparing the second quarter with the preceding one on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports rose 5.8%. Within this, the value of re-exports rose 6%, and the value of domestic exports increased 2.5%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods rose 6.6%.

With merchandise exports continuing brisk growth, the appreciable gain in June was mainly attributable to faster increases in exports to the Mainland, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as the sustained surge in exports to many other East Asian economies. Exports to the European Union also remained vibrant, while exports to the US also attained solid growth.