About 21,000 establishments from various sectors have been selected to provide up-to-date statistical data to evaluate their contribution to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product and ascertain their cost structure, operating characteristics and output levels.

The Annual Survey of Economic Activities for the reference year of 2009 is conducted under the Census & Statistics Ordinance, the Census & Statistics Department said today.

The results, which will be released at the end of this year, are useful to both the Government and the private sector in formulating policies and making decisions.

Strict confidence　　　

All collected information which may enable identification of individual establishments will be kept in strict confidence. Only aggregate information, which does not reveal details of individual establishments, will be released.

Establishments selected to participate in the survey are being individually notified by post, with the relevant questionnaires enclosed in the notification letters.

Audited accounts will not be essential for the supply of income and expenditure data required for the survey, the department said. It accepts figures based on preliminary accounts or estimates which are correct to the best of the respondents' knowledge at the time of submitting the questionnaires.

Electronic templates of the questionnaires are available upon request.

Useful information　　　

The information sought in the survey includes type of ownership, origin of investment, floor area, number of people employed, staff compensation, operating expenses, business receipts, capital expenditure and other information related to the establishments' business operation.

The selected establishments should return the completed questionnaires by the end of May. If necessary, census officers may phone or visit to offer assistance.

For enquiries, send an email, call 2126 7256, or fax 2827 0551.