Imports
2.6
The value of
imports in the first
higher than in the
quarter, at
corresponding
$33,411 million, was 7%
quarter of 1981. On the basis of trade indexes available up
to February, there was an increase in prices of 13% and
imports in real terms declined by 5%. The growth rates of
imports subsequently re-exported and of imports retained in Hong Kong both slowed down substantially.
Growth rates of imports (%)
Imports
Retained Imports
Year-on-year comparison
In money
terms
In real terms
Rate of increase in prices
In real
terms
1981/1980 Q1
28
17
9
10
Q2
24
12
11
22
Q3
26
13
12
Q4
18
4
14
-3
1981/1980
24
11
11
1982/1981 Q1
7
-5 (*)
13(*)
Gowook
9
-5 (*)
Note : (*) Estimated by using trade
indexes available up to February 1982.
2.7
Retained imports in the first quarter were 5%
less in real terms than in the first quarter of 1981.
Decreases were recorded in the retained imports of consumer goods, raw materials and semi-manufactures, and capital goods. While the decline in the retained imports of consumer goods suggests that consumer demand is in a rather sluggish state, the decreases for raw materials and semi-manufactures and for capital goods, for the second consecutive quarter, are more worrying in view of their implications for export performance in the coming months.
7
/ Growth