TNAG-1483-FCO40-2037-Economic-situation-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 208

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The major end-use categories of retained imports showed the following developments. First, retained imports of raw materials and semi-manufactures grew by about 15% in real terms in the first half of this year compared with the same

peiod in 1985, made up of growth rates of 5% in the first quarter and of about 21% in the second quarter. This suggests continued improvement in domestic exports in the short term. However, second, retained imports of capital goods declined by about 5% in real terms in the first half. As there was little

change in retained imports of

imports of capital goods in the first quarter, the decline occurred entirely in the second quarter.

The decrease seems to be concentrated in retained imports of

transport equipment, office machines, electronic components and parts for computers, electrical line and telephonic

apparatus. Third, reflecting а faster growth of consumer

demand, retained imports of consumer goods and of foodstuffs grew by about 10% and

and 13% respectively in real terms in the first half of 1986 compared with a year earlier. The increase

appears to be concentrated in retained imports of beverages,

watches and clocks, poultry, fish, clothing and household electrical appliances. Fourth, retained imports of fuels also

grew, by about 14% in real terms in the first half of 1986 over the same period last year, following a decline of 11% in the second half of 1985 (8).

/Growth

(8) The decline was concentrated in retained imports of liquid fuels, largely due to the continued substitution of fuel oil by coal in the generation of electricity.

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