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In the fourth quarter of 2008, 32% of Hong Kong's total exports to the mainland of China (the Mainland) were for outward processing. The proportion was 33% for domestic exports and 32% for re-exports. On the other hand, 53% of Hong Kong's imports from the Mainland were related to outward processing, according to statistics released today by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD). Over the same period, 68% of Hong Kong's re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland.
The corresponding proportions for exports to the Mainland in the fourth quarter of 2007 were 34% for total exports, 49% for domestic exports and 33% for re-exports; while proportions for imports from the Mainland and for re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were 55% and 80% respectively.
Taking the year 2008 as a whole, 34% of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland were for outward processing; the figure was 38% for domestic exports and 34% for re-exports. On the other hand, 56% of Hong Kong's imports from the Mainland were related to outward processing. Over the same period, 70% of Hong Kong's re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland.
The corresponding proportions in 2007 were 35% for total exports to the Mainland, 47% for domestic exports to the Mainland, 34% for re-exports to the Mainland, 59% for imports from the Mainland and 78% for re-exports of Mainland origin to other places.
In value terms, $110.0 billion of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland in the fourth quarter of 2008 were for outward processing, representing a decrease of 8% over the fourth quarter of 2007. The value of domestic exports to the Mainland for outward processing decreased significantly by 52% to $2.5 billion while the value of re-exports to the Mainland for outward processing decreased by 6% to $107.5 billion. Over the same period of comparison, the value of imports from the Mainland related to outward processing decreased by 4% to $192.8 billion. On the other hand, $197.0 billion of Hong Kong's re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland, representing a decrease of 15%.
For the whole year of 2008, $471.0 billion of Hong Kong's total exports to the Mainland were for outward processing, representing an increase of 4% over 2007. The value of domestic exports to the Mainland for outward processing decreased significantly by 31% to $13.2 billion whereas that of re-exports to the Mainland for outward processing increased by 6% to $457.7 billion. Over the same period of comparison, the value of imports from the Mainland related to outward processing increased slightly by 1% to $789.0 billion. On the other hand, $792.2 billion of Hong Kong's re-exports of Mainland origin to other places were produced through outward processing in the Mainland, which represents a decrease of 6%.
The statistics for the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2008 and their percentage changes over the same period in 2007 are given in the attached table.
Information on trade involving outward processing in the Mainland is collected in a sample survey conducted by the C&SD. For the purpose of the survey, exports to the Mainland for outward processing refer to raw materials or semi-manufactures exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re-importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.
Imports from the Mainland related to outward processing refer to processed goods imported from the Mainland, of which all or part of the raw materials or semi-manufactures have been under contractual arrangement exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing.
Re-exports of Mainland origin to other places involving outward processing in the Mainland refer to processed goods re-exported through Hong Kong, of which all or part of the raw materials or semi-manufactures have been exported from or through Hong Kong to the Mainland for processing with a contractual arrangement for subsequent re-importation of the processed goods into Hong Kong.
In interpreting the statistics, it should be noted that all imports and exports of goods (not including transhipments and goods-in-transit) are recorded as external trade, irrespective of whether the goods are associated with outward processing or not. Moreover, the value and proportion of imports from the Mainland and re-exports of Mainland origin to other places involving outward processing in the Mainland refer to those of the entire goods instead of just the value added contributed by outward processing in the Mainland.
A sample of import/export declarations in respect of Hong Kong's trade with the Mainland and Hong Kong's re-exports originated in the Mainland to other places is selected for enumeration to obtain the required information from the establishments concerned. The findings of the survey facilitate a more informed analysis of the nature of Hong Kong's trade with the Mainland. In this respect, the survey results are a useful supplement to the regular trade statistics.
The above survey results will be included in the March 2009 issue of the Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade. The publication, in download version, will be available in mid-May 2009. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/statistical_report/external_trade/index.jsp).
Print version of this publication will be available for sale at HK$128 per issue in mid-May 2009. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of the 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's website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp). Print version of this publication is also available for sale online at the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk).
Enquiries on the survey results may be directed to the Trade Surveys and Research Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 5503).
Ends/Thursday, March 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:30
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