January 2009 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statisticsis now available
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     The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (January 20) the January 2009 issue of the Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics (HKMDS).

     In this issue, two feature articles entitled "External Direct Investment Statistics" and "Road Cargo Statistics for 2007" are included.

"External Direct Investment Statistics"

     Direct investment represents external investment which allows an investor in one economy to have a lasting interest and a significant degree of influence or effective voice in the management of an enterprise in another economy.

     At the end of 2007, the position of Hong Kong's inward direct investment and outward direct investment at market value continued to be substantial, amounting to $9,186.5 billion and $7,889.0 billion respectively.  Their ratios to GDP in that year were 568% and 488% respectively.

     In 2007, DI inflow and outflow were $423.9 billion and $476.5 billion respectively.  Taking DI inflow and outflow together, there was a net outflow of $52.6 billion.

     This feature article presents an analysis of inward and outward direct investment of Hong Kong in 2007, based on the findings of the Survey of External Claims, Liabilities and Income conducted by C&SD, supplemented by data from other sources.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Balance of Payments Branch (2), C&SD (Tel. : 2116 5101).

"Road Cargo Statistics for 2007"

     Road traffic has all long been an important means for transporting goods between Hong Kong and the mainland of China (the Mainland).  In the past decade, the annual road cargo throughput ranged from 36 139 thousand tonnes to 40 474 thousand tonnes, accounting for 13% to 18% of the total cargo throughput.  Of the four boundary control points currently connecting Hong Kong and the Mainland, namely Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen Bay control points, Lok Ma Chau was still the busiest control point through which cargoes were transported, accounting for around 70% of the total road cargo throughput in 2007.  

     Feature articles addressing this subject have been published regularly since 2001.  This feature article provides a detailed analysis of the road cargo statistics in 2007.

     For enquiries about this feature article, please call the Trade Surveys and Research Section, C&SD (Tel. : 2582 5255).

     Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing 140 tables.  It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong.  Topics include population and vital events; labour; external trade; industrial production; land, housing, building and construction; transport, communications and tourism; public accounts, money and finance; prices; commerce; social conditions; energy; and national income and Balance of Payments.  For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available.

     Users can download the publication free of charge at the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/index.jsp).

     Print version of the publication is available for sale at HK$142 per issue.  Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel. : 2582 3025) or through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD Website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp).  Print version of the publication is also available for sale online at the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk).

     Enquiries about the contents of the publication can be directed to the General Statistics Section (1)B of C&SD (Tel.: 2582 4738).

Ends/Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:00

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