Hong Kong's gross margin and commission from offshore trade rose 11.2 percent in 2006 over a year earlier to 165.7 billion HK dollars, the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong said Monday.

The gross margin from merchanting was 143.5 billion HK dollars, up 1.6 percent on 2005, while the commission from merchandising for offshore transactions was 22.3 billion HK dollars, up 8.8 percent.

The department said growth momentum in offshore trade continued in 2006 due to vibrant global demand and strong trade flow with the Chinese mainland.

The sales value of goods involved in merchanting grew 16.5 percent to 1.78 trillion HK dollars in 2006, while sales value of goods involved in merchandising for offshore transactions was 564.8 billion HK dollars, up 1.2 percent. The re-exports value rose 10 percent to 2.32 trillion HK dollars in 2006 and the re-export margin rate was 17 percent.

By services exports destination, the Chinese mainland was the largest destination in terms of offshore trade earnings, accounting for 27.5 percent of the total margin and commission earned in 2006. By destination of goods sold under merchanting, the Chinese mainland was also the largest destination, accounting for 36.1 percent of the total value of goods sold.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2008)