XN000022-1997-04-11 — Page 19

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Significant decreases in import volume were noted of raw cotton; and leather and dressed furskins. However, rapid increases were noted of cotton yarn and thread; and lime, cement and fabricated building materials except glass, clay construction materials and refractory construction materials.

Imports of fuels decreased by 11% in volume in January 1997 compared with January 1996.

As regards capital goods, the volume of imports increased by 14% in January 1997 over January 1996.

Notable increases were recorded in the import volume of industrial machinery, other than electrical machinery and textile machinery; and office machines. The import volume of construction machinery however decreased.

Comparing January 1997 with January 1996, import prices of fuels increased significantly by 33%.

On the other hand, import prices of raw materials and

semi-manufactures;

capital goods; foodstuffs; and consumer goods decreased by 6.0%, 3.5%, 1.0% and 0.3% respectively.

Details of the above statistics are published in the January 1997 issue of the "Hong Kong Trade Index Numbers".

The report will be available on sale around 14 April 1997 at HK$13 per copy at either (i) the Government Publications Centre on the ground floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway; or (ii) the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department on the 19th Floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.

Enquiries regarding regular subscription to this report may be directed to the Publications (Sales) Office of the Information Services Department at 28/F., Siu On Centre, 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (Tel. No.: 2598 8194) and enquiries on trade indices to the Census and Statistics Department (Tel. No.: 2582 4918).