XN000022-1996-08-28 — Page 4

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Analysis of external trade statistics by mode of transport

The value of Hong Kong's external trade by ocean accounted for 49% of Hong Kong's total value of external trade in the first half of 1996, according to statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department today (Wednesday).

The Another 25% was transported by land and yet another 20% by air. remaining 5.8% included shipment by river, postal parcels and accompanied goods of passengers travelling on various means of transport.

Shipment by ocean amounted to $674.6 billion in the first half of 1996, representing an increase of 2.3% over that in the same period in 1995. Shipment by land went up by 3.4% to $349.3 billion in the first half of 1996 while that by air also went up by 5.4% to $280.4 billion.

Table 1 shows details of changes in the value of Hong Kong's external trade analysed by mode of transport in the first half of 1996 compared with the same period in 1995.

The United States remained the largest destination for Hong Kong's total exports (comprising domestic exports and re-exports) by ocean, accounting for a share of 29% in value terms in the first half of 1996. The value, however, decreased by 3.9% over the same period in 1995.

The value of total exports by ocean to Japan increased by 28% in the first half of 1996 over the same period in 1995. Increases were also recorded in seaborne total exports to the other main destinations: China (+20%) and the United Kingdom (+8.1%).

Japan was the largest supplier of Hong Kong's imports by ocean, accounting for a share of 22% in value terms in the first half of 1996. The value, however, decreased by 6.6% over the same period in 1995.

The value of imports by ocean from Singapore and the United States, on the other hand, increased by 10% and 5.4% respectively in the first half of 1996 over the same period in 1995.

Table 2 shows details of changes in the value of external trade by ocean with main trading partners in the first half of 1996 compared with the same period in 1995.

In the first half of 1996, the value of total exports by air to the United States accounted for 24% of the value of Hong Kong's total exports by air. The value increased slightly, by 1% over the same period in 1995.