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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (January 20) the January 2010 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics (HKMDS).
In this issue, two feature articles entitled "External Direct Investment Statistics" and "Interpreting the Overall Balance of Payments and Reserve Assets of Hong Kong" are included.
"External Direct Investment Statistics"
Direct investment (DI) represents external investment which allows an investor in one economy to have a lasting interest and a significant degree of influence or an effective voice in the management of an enterprise in another economy.
At the end of 2008, the position of Hong Kong's inward DI and outward DI at market value continued to be substantial, amounting to $6,325.8 billion and $5,906.2 billion respectively. Their ratios to GDP in that year were 377% and 352% respectively.
In 2008, DI inflow and outflow were $464.3 billion and $393.9 billion respectively. Taking DI inflow and outflow together, there was a net inflow of $70.4 billion.
This feature article presents an analysis of inward and outward DI of Hong Kong in 2008 based on the findings of the Survey of External Claims, Liabilities and Income conducted by C&SD, supplemented by data from other sources.
For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Balance of Payments Branch (2), C&SD (Tel. : 2116 5101).
"Interpreting the Overall Balance of Payments and Reserve Assets of Hong Kong"
Balance of Payments (BoP) statistics are important for monetary and financial monitoring and policy deliberations in different areas in both local and international contexts. In analysing the BoP account, the first glance is often at the overall balance of payments (or overall BoP balance). The overall BoP balance represents the sum of balances of the current account and the non-reserve portion of the capital and financial account, plus net errors and omissions. In other words, the overall BoP balance is the mirror image of transaction changes in reserve assets. Hence, the analysis and interpretation of the overall BoP balance and that of the net transactions of reserve assets should be taken together.
This feature article briefly explains the conceptual meaning of the overall BoP balance and its interpretation in assessing the external payment conditions. It also presents the salient features of the overall BoP balance and reserve assets of Hong Kong in the past decade.
For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Balance of Payments Branch (1), C&SD (Tel. : 2116 8660).
Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing 140 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population and vital events; labour; external trade; industrial production; land, housing, building and construction; transport, communications and tourism; public accounts, money and finance; prices; commerce; social conditions; energy; and national income and Balance of Payments. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available.
Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/statistical_report/general_statistical_digest/index.jsp).
Print version of the publication is available for sale at HK$203 per issue. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of C&SD (Address : 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel. : 2582 3025) or through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD Website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp). Print version of the publication is also available for sale online at the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk).
Enquiries about the contents of the publication can be directed to the General Statistics Section (1)B of C&SD (Tel. : 2582 4738).
Ends/Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:01
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