Steady growth: April saw the value of total exports of goods rise to $212.6 billion, up 12.6% on the same month last year.

April saw the value of total exports of goods rise to $212.6 billion, up 12.6% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department says. The figure comes after a year-on-year rise of 6.9% in March.

Within this total, the value of re-exports grew 14.3% to $204 billion, while the value of domestic exports fell 16.1% to $8.6 billion.

The value of imports of goods rose 14.7% to $233.2 billion, after a year-on-year increase of 11.1% in March. A visible trade deficit of $20.6 billion, equivalent to 8.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in April.

For the first four months of the year, the value of total exports of goods rose 10% over the same period last year. Within this total, the value of re-exports grew 12.5%, while the value of domestic exports dropped 29.3%. The value of imports of goods rose 10.5%. A visible trade deficit of $60.8 billion, equivalent to 7.1% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded.

Comparing the three-month period ending April with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods rose 4.7%. Within this total, the value of re-exports rose 4.3%, while the value of domestic exports grew 13.1%. The value of imports of goods grew 7%.

The department said the trade prospects in the near term will continue to hinge on the global economic situation, in particular the demand in the US. Also of crucial significance to Hong Kong's trade outlook is continued strength in the Mainland economy and its vibrant trade flow.