HK June exports value down 3.1%; imports down 2%

    Hong Kong's value of total exports of goods (comprising re-exports and domestic exports) dropped 3.1% in June over a year earlier to HK$299.5 billion, after a year-on-year decrease of 4.6% in May, according to the Census and Statistics Department.
  Within this total, the value of re-exports fell 3% to HK$295.4 billion in June, while the value of domestic exports declined 13.4% to HK$4.2 billion. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods dipped 2% over a year earlier to HK$345.3 billion in June, after a year-on-year decrease of 4.7% in May. A visible trade deficit of HK$45.8 billion, equivalent to 13.3% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded last month.
  For the first half of 2015 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods edged up 0.1% over the same period in 2014. Within this total, the value of re-exports increased by 0.3%, whereas the value of domestic exports dropped 13%. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods slid 1%. A visible trade deficit of HK$242.3 billion, equivalent to 12.4% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first half of 2015. 
  A Government spokesman noted that merchandise exports remained weak in June, mainly reflecting the still-sluggish global demand conditions. While exports to some Asian emerging markets registered further notable growth, widespread weakness still prevailed across other major markets. The spokesman commented further that looking ahead, the external environment would still be rather unsteady, given the headwinds from the slow global economic growth, diverging monetary policy directions among major central banks, the unresolved Greek debt problem and geopolitical tensions in various regions. This will likely continue to constrain Hong Kong's near-term export performance.