Hong Kong's gross domestic product rose 7.1% in real terms in the first quarter over a year earlier by using chain volume measures, the Census & Statistics Department says.

Analysed by constituent sector and on a year-on-year comparison, net output in all the service activities taken together rose 6.4% in real terms in the quarter.

Net output in the wholesale, retail and import and export trades, and the restaurants and hotels sector grew 8.8% in real terms. The rise was due to strong consumer spending and vibrant external trade.

Expanded external trade flows brought a 7.1%-rise in net output in the transport, storage and communications sector in real terms.

Net output in real terms saw increases in the financing, insurance, real estate and business-services sector (9.2%), the construction sector (7.9%), the electricity, gas and water sector (4.7%), and the community, social and personal services sector (0.6%).

Net output in the local manufacturing sector dropped 4.4% in real terms in the first quarter over a year earlier.