Hong Kong's exports increased unexpectedly in August, after falling in the previous two months, figures from the Census and Statistics Department showed Tuesday.
The value of total exports rose 0.8 percent year-over-year in August, reversing a 5.1 percent decline in July. Economists had expected a 2.0 percent fall for the month.
Within this total, the value of re-exports climbed 0.8 percent, while domestic exports dipped 3.4 percent.
Imports grew 2.8 percent annually in August, in contrast to a 3.3 percent decrease in the prior month. Meanwhile, it was expected to drop by 1.0 percent.
The visible trade deficit of the country widened to HK$32.09 billion in August from HK$25.07 billion in the same month of 2015. That was above the shortfall of HK$29.0 billion expected by economists.
"Looking ahead, Hong Kong's export performance will still depend on global demand conditions," a government spokesman said.
"In the near term, the external environment will likely remain unsteady, given the fragile recovery of some advanced economies, monetary policy divergence among major central banks, uncertainties stemming from Brexit and heightened geopolitical tensions in various regions."
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