ENG-1965 — Page 71

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INDUSTRY AND TRADE

EXTERNAL TRADE

The total value of Hong Kong's external trade in 1965, including imports, domestic exports and re-exports, amounted to $15,495 million, representing an increase of $1,160 million or 8 per cent over 1964. Imports rose moderately in value while domestic exports and re-exports continued to increase significantly, although at a reduced rate. The volume of Hong Kong trade as measured by cargo tonnage by all means of transport rose by 352,000 tons during the year. Trade statistics, including a breakdown by coun- tries and commodities and comparisons with previous years, are contained in Appendices XV to XXI.

Imports in 1965 were valued at $8,965 million, an increase of 5 per cent. Although_domestic supplies of agricultural produce and fish are substantial, most of the Colony's foodstuffs have to be imported. Food was therefore the principal import representing 23 per cent of all imports and being worth $2,042 million, a slight increase of 1 per cent over the previous year. The chief food imports were live animals, rice, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, fish and fish preparations, meat and meat preparations, sugar and sugar preparations. Raw materials and semi-manufactured goods imported for use by industry included textile yarn and fabrics, raw cotton, base metals and plastic moulding materials. Capital goods such as machinery and transport equipment, and mineral fuels and lubri- cants were also imported in large quantities.

The sources of imports are determined by proximity, prices, speed of delivery and by traditional trade relationships. China was the Colony's principal supplier, providing 26 per cent by value of all imports and 55 per cent of food imports. Imports from China also included textile yarn and fabrics, clothing, and base metals. The value of goods imported from China increased by 18 per cent compared with 1964. Imports from Japan, the second largest sup- plier, changed very little in value compared with the previous year, accounting for 17 per cent of imports from all sources. Of imports from Japan, 30 per cent were textile yarn fabrics; the rest were made up of base metals, electric apparatus and appliances, chemicals and miscellaneous manufactured articles. Imports from the United States decreased slightly from the previous year, while those from the United Kingdom showed a remarkable increase. The principal