The Exchange Fund at the end of February decreased $5.9 billion, to $845.7 billion.

The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the Aggregate Balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to $251.9 billion.

Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to $43.4 billion.

Foreign liabilities, representing mainly obligations under repurchase agreements, amounted to $12.5 billion.