1932 — Page 438

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STATISTICAL OFFICE REPORT ON THE TRADE OF HONG KONG DURING THE YEAR 1932,

I. General

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II. Quarterly Values of Imports & Exports for years 1923-1932, in £s and $s....

III. Treasure Movements

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IV. Import percentages, by countries

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V. Total Values of Imports during years 1922-1932, by countries..

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VI. Total Values of Exports during years 1922-1932, by countries

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VII. Trade Group Summaries..

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VIII. Total Values of Imports & Exports (including Treasure) during 1932 by countries § 13

IX. Total Values of Imports & Exports during 1932 by main groups

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X. Total Values of Imports (excluding Treasure) monthly during 1932

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XI. Total Values of Exports (excluding Treasure) monthly during 1932

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XII. Total monthly Values of Imports, by main groups XIII. Total monthly Values of Exports, by main groups

XIV. Imports & Exports by main groups and countries

XV. Wholesale Price Index

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Although it cannot be claimed that the general economic situation of the Colony of Hong Kong during the year 1932 showed any visible improvement as compared with the previous year, statistics of the Import and Export trade reveal that the situation was not an unsatisfactory one, taking into consideration the heavy contraction in international trade, and, in particular, the Chinese boycott of Japanese products, which seriously affected the trade statis- tics of the Colony.

The declared value of Imports of Merchandise in 1932 amounted to $624.0 millions (£41.0 millions), as compared with $737.7 millions (£38.5 millions), while Exports were valued at $471.9 millions (£31,0 millions), as against $541.9 millions (£28.9 millions).

Calculating in terms of Hong Kong currency, Imports of Merchandise declined by 15.4%. and Exports by 12.9%; but Sterling values showed increases of 6.5% and 7.3% res- pectively, on account of the appreciation in the value of exchange on other than gold standard countries.

In regard to the quantum of trade, it is estimated that there was a decline of from 7.0 to 10%.

Great Britain still further increased its share of the Import trade, accounting for 9.4% in 1930. 10.6% in 1931 and 12.3% in 1932; while the Japanese share fell successively from 12.3% in 1930, to 9.3% in 1931 and 3.4% in 1932. China, French Indo-China, Siam, India and Australia increased their proportions of the total import trade.