XN000022-1996-02-23 — Page 11

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Analysis of Hong Kong's re-export trade statistics

Re-exports accounted for 83% of the value of total exports and 39% of the total value of external trade of Hong Kong in 1995. In 1994, the corresponding shares were 81% and 39% respectively.

These figures, affirming the importance of re-export trade, are among the detailed re-export statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department today (Friday).

China remained the largest partner for Hong Kong's re-export trade. Of the total $1,112.5 billion of re-exports going through Hong Kong in 1995, 88% or $984.3 billion involved China in either direction.

As a source, re-exports originating in China accounted for 57% of Hong Kong's re-export value in 1995. As a destination, China's share was 35%.

It is noted that much of the re-export trade involving China is related to outward processing, as raw materials and semi-manufactured goods are exported to China for processing, with the final products subsequently returned to Hong Kong, and re-exported to overseas markets.

Other main origins of Hong Kong's re-exports in 1995 included Japan (accounting for 12%). Taiwan (7.5%), the United States (5%) and South Korea (3.4%).

The main destinations in 1995, besides China, included the United States (accounting for 21%), Japan (6.3%). Germany (4.1%) and the United Kingdom (2.9%).

Table 1 shows the changes in the value of re-exports from the 10 main origins in 1995 compared with 1994.

Comparing 1995 with 1994, increases of various magnitudes were recorded in the value of re-exports from all main origins: Singapore (+44%), Malaysia (+41%). South Korea (+37%), Italy (+34%), the United States (+27%), the United Kingdom (+19%), China (+17%), Taiwan (+16%), Japan (+7%) and Germany (+2%).

Of the value of re-exports originating in China in 1995. 34% went to the United States, 9.3% to Japan and 6.7% to Germany.