The value of total exports of services rose 15.4% to $495.8 billion in 2005 over 2004, the Census & Statistics Department says, adding that the value of total imports of services grew 9% to $264.2 billion.

Taking exports and imports of services together, an invisible trade surplus at $231.6 billion, equivalent to 87.6% of the value of total imports of services, was recorded in 2005. This was larger than the corresponding surplus of $187.1 billion, equivalent to 77.1% of the value of total imports of services, in 2004.

The Mainland and the US were the two largest destinations for exports of services, accounting for 26.3% and 20.6% of the total value in 2005. They were followed by Taiwan (7.3%), Japan (7.2%), and the UK (6.9%).

The Mainland and the US were the largest sources of imports of services, accounting for 27% and 15% of the total value in 2005. They were followed by Japan (8.6%), the UK (7.7%), and Australia (6.1%).

The department said the robust performance of exports of services in 2005 is indicative of the increasingly important role of Hong Kong as a business, financial and service hub in the region. It said the Mainland remained the largest destination of Hong Kong's exports of services in 2005, accounting for over one-quarter of the total, showing that Hong Kong has continued to play a significant role as an eminent foothold and conduit for business between the Mainland and the rest of the world.