The number of sale and purchase agreements for all types of building units in Hong Kong received by the Land Registry in March was 13,924, up 27 percent on February and 140.1 percent on March 2003.

Using a 12-month moving average, the figure for March released by the Land Registry on Friday represented increases of 8.5 percent over February and 28.2 percent on March 2003.

The total consideration of these agreements in the month was HK$40.9 billion (US$5.25 billion), up 34.2 percent over February and 186.4 percent on March 2003.

Among the 13,924 sale and purchase agreements, 11,449 were sale and purchase agreements for residential units, up 21.2 percent over February and 151.6 percent on March 2003.

The total consideration of these agreements was HK$33 billion, up 25.4 percent over February and 186.4 percent on March 2003.
 
(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2004)