The volume of Hong Kong's goods re-exports rose 16.3% in March compared with the same month last year, while that of domestic exports rose 36.1%. Taken together, the volume of total goods exports grew 17.3%. At the same time, the volume of goods imports rose 16.3%.

Releasing the figures today, the Census & Statistics Department said when comparing the first quarter of 2006 with the same period in 2005, the volume of Hong Kong's goods re-exports rose 13.2%, while that of domestic exports grew 42.3%.

Taken together, the volume of total goods exports grew 14.6%. At the same time, the volume of goods imports rose 13.9%.

Total goods exports volume up 2.5%

Comparing the first quarter of 2006 with the fourth quarter of 2005 on a seasonally adjusted basis, the volume of total goods exports rose 2.5%. Within this total, the volume of re-exports went up 2.9%, while that of domestic exports dropped 2.7%. At the same time, the volume of goods imports rose 3.8%.

Comparing March 2006 and last year, the prices of goods re-exports rose 0.1%, while those of domestic exports dropped 3.8%. Taken together, the prices of total goods exports fell marginally, by 0.1%. At the same time,  the prices of goods imports grew 0.9%.