Hong Kong's trade deficit widened in September as growth in imports exceeded the rise in shipments, the Census and Statistics Department said Thursday.
The visible trade deficit rose to HK$39.7 billion, equivalent to 10.8 percent of the value of imports. In August, the shortfall totaled HK$32.09 billion.
Exports increased 5.9 percent from prior month and imports climbed 7.6 percent in September.
On a yearly basis, exports gained 3.6 percent, faster than the 0.8 percent rise in August. Similarly, the growth in imports accelerated to 4.1 percent from 2.8 percent.
A government spokesman said the external environment is still fraught with considerable uncertainties, including those arising from the fragile recoveries of some advanced economies, monetary policy divergence among major central banks, unfolding Brexit event and heightened geopolitical tensions in various regions.
In the third quarter, the trade gap increased to HK$104.57 billion from HK$89.73 billion in prior year.
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