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Commenting on the design of the vertical shafts and tunnels, the spokesman said that it was sound. "The shafts and some of the tunnels are already partially completed. Obviously the most appropriate way forward would be to complete the tunnels as soon as possible."
The spokesman said that adopting this approach would enable all elements of the sewage treatment facilities in Stage I of the SSDS to be commissioned within the shortest feasible timeframe, having regard to all the circumstances. Once commissioned these facilities will significantly improve the environment of our Harbour on a permanent basis for the benefit of us all.
End
Volume and price statistics of external trade in October
In the first 10 months of 1996, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports increased by 7.6% over the same period last year, while the volume of domestic exports decreased by 8.6%, according to the statistics released today (Tuesday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
Taking re-exports and domestic exports together, the volume of total exports increased by 4.8%. Meanwhile, imports increased by 4% in volume.
Comparing October 1996 with October 1995, the volume of re-exports increased by 9.8%, while that of domestic exports decreased by 6.5%. Taken together, the volume of total exports increased by 7%. The volume of imports increased by 7.3%.
The growth in the volume of trade is derived from the growth in trade value with the effect of price changes discounted.
As regards price changes in the first 10 months of 1996 over the same period last year, the prices of re-exports decreased by 0.4%, while that of domestic exports increased by 0.4%. Import prices decreased by 1.2%.
Comparing October 1996 with October 1995, the prices of re-exports and domestic exports decreased by 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. Import prices also decreased, by 2%.