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Loans to building, construction, property development and investment grew 2.7% during the quarter. Loans to wholesale and retail trade recorded growth of around 4% during the March quarter.

Money Supply

Currency holdings by the public always fall after the Lunar New Year. This year currency fell by 14.7% in February and a further 2.3% in March. Despite this, HK$M1 recorded an increase of 2.4% during the month.

The growth of HK$M2 and HK$M3 both rose to 1.9% this month from 0.8% in February.

Note to Editor:

For further press enquiries, please contact the Press and Publications Section, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, on tel 2878 8261.

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