Performance underpinned by demand for AI-related products, with city acting as middleman for mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam and rest of world
Hong Kong exports rose by 53.4 per cent year on year in June, as overseas demand for the region’s electronic products supporting AI pushed monthly shipment growth to its highest level in more than 40 years.
Provisional figures released by the Census and Statistics Department on Monday showed the value of exports climbed to a record HK$641.1 billion (US$81.7 billion) last month after a 40.8 per cent rise in May.
June’s increase was the highest since March 1984, when exports surged by 61.6 per cent.
A government spokesman said last month’s performance was underpinned by sustained global demand for electronic products related to artificial intelligence (AI), with most major markets continuing to show strong growth.
“Looking ahead, the robust demand for AI-related electronic products globally should render continued support to Hong Kong’s merchandise trade performance,” he said. “Yet, the recent re-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East deserves attention.”
Imports rose by 45.4 per cent to HK$693 billion, leaving a monthly trade deficit of HK$52 billion.