ENG-2001 — Page 141

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

performance in 2001. Total merchandise trade decreased by 5.6 per cent to $3,049.2 billion. Domestic exports dropped by 15.2 per cent to $153.5 billion, while re-exports fell by 4.6 per cent to $1,327.5 billion. Imports decreased by 5.4 per cent to $1,568.2 billion. The year recorded a trade deficit of $87.2 billion, larger than the corresponding deficit of $85.3 billion in 2000. The Appendices provide summary statistics of external trade.

In 2001, Hong Kong's largest trading partner was the mainland of China (the Mainland), followed by the United States of America (USA) and Japan.

In 2000, Hong Kong was the world's ninth-largest trading entity in terms of value of merchandise trade.

Imports

Imports of consumer goods, at $542.6 billion in 2001, constituted the largest share of total imports. This was followed by capital goods, foodstuffs and fuels ($514.2 billion) and raw materials and semi-manufactures ($511.3 billion).

In 2001, the Mainland, Japan and Taiwan were Hong Kong's major suppliers, accounting for 43.5 per cent, 11.3 per cent and 6.9 per cent of the total value of imports, respectively.

Domestic Exports

Clothing continued to be the largest component of domestic exports, valued at $72.2 billion or 47.1 per cent of the total value of domestic exports in 2001. At $20.3 billion, electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances came second. Other major exports items include textiles, chemical products and jewellery. Chart I shows the value breakdown of domestic exports in 2001.

Chart 1: Value of Domestic Exports of the Manufacturing Sector in 2001*

Others

17.7% ($27 119 billion)

Printing and publishing 2,7% ($4. 122 billion)

Jewellery 3.1% ($4 736 billion)

Chemicals

3.6% ($5.489 billion)

Textiles

5.3% ($8 193 billion)

Electronics

20.6% ($31.621 billion)

Clothing

47.1% ($72.240 billion)

* As at September

In 2001, the Mainland, the USA and the United Kingdom were Hong Kong's largest markets, absorbing 32.3 per cent, 31.0 per cent and 5.6 per cent of the total value of domestic exports, respectively.

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