Hong Kong's international investment position remains strong with net external financial assets of $4.07 trillion at the end of last year, up $41 billion on the same period a year earlier. The figure corresponded to 252% of gross domestic product.

The Census & Statistics Department said today ratios of both Hong Kong's external financial assets and liabilities at end-2007 to GDP remained substantial, at 1,318% and 1,066%, showing Hong Kong is a highly externally oriented economy with considerable cross-territory investment and also a major financial centre in the region with considerable cross-territory fund positions.

Hong Kong's external financial assets amounted to $21.3 trillion at the end of 2007, up $6.3 trillion or 42% on 2006, with direct investment accounting for 37.6% of the total.

The city's external financial liabilities rose $6.26 trillion or 57.1% to $17.23 trillion, with 53.6% in the form of direct investment.

Both external financial assets and liabilities rise sharply in the year, showing the generally favourable economic environment and the buoyant performance in many stock markets during the year.

For details of the international investment position statistics, click here.