The domestic exports in the meantime decreased by 7.7 percent. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 11.0 percent. Concurrently, the volume of imports of goods recorded an increase of 11.3 percent.

Comparing the first half of 2002 with the same period a year earlier, the volume of Hong Kong's re-exports of goods increased by 3.5 percent, while that of domestic exports decreased by 12.5 percent. Taken together, the volume of total exports of goods increased by 1.8 percent. Over the same period, imports of goods increased by 0.9 percent in volume.

Changes in volume of external merchandise trade are derived from changes in external merchandise trade value with the effect of price changes discounted, analysts said.

Comparing June 2002 with a year earlier, the prices of re-exports of goods fell by 2.5 percent, and those of domestic exports by 3.3 percent. Taken together, the prices of total exports of goods decreased by 2.6 percent. Over the same period, the prices of imports of goods fell by 4.3 percent.

In June 2002, the re-export volume of raw materials and semi-manufactures rose by 15.5 percent over a year earlier. Notable increases in re-export volume were recorded for cotton, and yarn, threads and fabrics of cotton and electronic components.

On the other hand, significant decreases in re-export volume were noted for lime, cement, and fabricated building materials except glass, clay construction materials and refractory construction materials, and chemical elements and compounds.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2002)