TNAG-1267-FCO40-1616-Economic-situation-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 179

2.7

The growth rate in real terms of retained imports

remained weak. In terms of major end-use categories, two

developments of significance are worth noting. First,

retained imports of raw materials and semi-manufactures showed

zero growth in real terms in the first quarter, suggesting that the decline experienced in 1982 may have been arrested. Moreover, there are firm indications that retained imports of

raw materials and semi-manufactures have continued to improve in the second quarter. Second, retained imports of consumer

goods declined by 3% in real terms in the first quarter,

reflecting the unfavourable influence on income of the earlier

economic slowdown.

Growth rates in real terms of imports by end-use categories (8)

Year-on-

year comparison

Foodstuffs

Consumer

goods Fuels manufactures

Raw materials and semi-

Capital goods

1982/1981 Q1

3

-4

11

-9

-4

Q2

7

1

7

-6

-18

03

13

1

6

-7

1

Q4

5

1

3

-3

1

1982/1981

7

0

7

-6 ·

-6

1983/1982 Jan-Feb

8

4

-11

-4

-2

Growth rates in real terms of

retained imports by end-use categories (8)

Year-on-

year comparison

Consumer

Raw materials and semi-

Foodstuffs goods Fuels manufactures

Capital goods

1982/1981 Q1

2

-5

10

-11

-6

Q2

8

2

7

– 4

-26

Q3

13

8

6

-5

0

Q4

1

2

3

0

-3

1982/1981

6

2

6

-5

-9

1983/1982 Jan-Feb

5

-3

-9

0

-4

8.

/Re-exports ...