The value of domestic exports classified into the apparel industry increased by $700 million or 9.6% in the first quarter to $7.6 billion, the Census & Statistics Department said today.

However, the value of exports in the machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components industry fell 34.3% to $3.3 billion. The consumer electrical and electronic products industry fell 26.9% to $2.1 billion, and textiles fell 7.5% to $6.3 billion.

These four categories together accounted for 75% of Hong Kong's total domestic exports of manufactured goods.

A notable decrease in the value of domestic exports was also registered for the professional and optical equipment industry - $700 million or 59.6% compared with a year earlier to $500 million in the first quarter.