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In the first four months of 1996, a visible trade deficit of $56.7 billion, equivalent to 12% of the value of imports, was recorded. This was also smaller than the deficit of $56.9 billion, equivalent to 13% of the value of imports, recorded in the same period.last year.
Commenting on the latest trade figures, a government spokesman said the sharp rebound in April suggested that the abrupt setback in March was probably only
temporary.
On retained imports, a decline was however recorded, and this probably reflected some slow-down in inventory build-up after the substantial accumulation in the earlier periods.
A detailed analysis of Hong Kong's external trade for April 1996, by commodity and country, will be released in mid-June.