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Update on the Hong Kong Economy for The Task Force on Economic Challenges Government Economist 3 April 2009. Global economic situation continued to worsen…. US: recession in 2009 likely to be the worst since WWII. EU and Japan likewise in dire state. Asia’s recession deepened further.
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Update on the Hong Kong Economy for The Task Force on Economic Challenges Government Economist 3 April 2009
Asia’s recession deepened further (*) January figures.
Latest local developments in 2009 • Decline in exports even steeper in January and February • Retail sales fell in January and February combined • Flat prices stabilised after an extended period of subdued activities • Credit conditions eased somewhat in general, but remain tight for sectors hit direct by the shrinking trade flows (e.g. I/E trade and logistics) • Unemployment rate risen further; employment on a general downtrend
Indicators of external trade all down(year-on-year rate of change) (#) Crude estimates.
Investment also deteriorated on dimmer prospects Private consumption fell in 2008Q4
but Government’s increased construction to provide some offset Fewer new private construction projects… (*) Excluding injection into WKCD.
Unemployment rate rising markedly across-the-board Notes: (1) The trading sector includes import/export trades and wholesale trade. (2) The logistics sector includes freight transport, storage, postal and courier services. (3) Provisional figures. Source: General Household Survey, Census and Statistics Department.
Total job losses by sector since Jun-Aug 2008 Notes: (1) The trading sector includes import/export trades and wholesale trade. (2) The logistics sector includes freight transport, storage, postal and courier services. (3) The figures being listed here are provisional. Source: General Household Survey, Census and Statistics Department.
Credit situation easing somewhat since early 2009(% of SMEs firms reporting tighter than normal credit situation)
Employment in SMEs under heavy downward drag amid economic downturn
Further mark-down by private sector analysts on Hong Kong’s GDP in 2009