XN000022-1996-05-09 — Page 12

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Over the same period of comparison, the import volume of consumer goods increased by 4.9%.

Increases in import volume were recorded in clothing; and household-type electrical appliances. However, decreases in the import volume were noted of passenger motor cars and radios, television-sets, gramophones, records, tape recorders and amplifiers.

The import volume of raw materials and semi-manufactures decreased by 16% in February 1996 compared with February 1995.

Decreases in import volume were recorded in most of the raw materials and semi-manufactures. Significant decreases were noted of silk fabrics; and woven fabrics of man-made fibres. However, increases in import volume were noted of woven fabrics of wool and mixtures; and thermionic, cold cathode or photo cathode valves and tubes, diodes, transistors etc and parts thereof.

Imports of fuels increased by 71% in volume in February 1996 compared with February 1995.

As regards capital goods, the import volume decreased by 5.5% in February 1996 over February 1995.

Notable decreases were recorded in the import volume of transport equipment and textile machinery. The import volume of office machines however increased.

Comparing February 1996 with February 1995, the import prices of most of the end-use categories increased: fuels (+5%); consumer goods (+2.7%); raw materials and semi-manufactures (+1.1%); and foodstuffs (+1.1%).

0.2%.

On the other hand, the import price of capital goods decreased marginally by

Details of the above statistics are published in the February 1996 issue of the "Hong Kong Trade Index Numbers".