Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Quarterly business receipts indices for service industries for first quarter of 2025
Comparing the first quarter of 2025 with the first quarter of 2024, double-digit increases were recorded in business receipts indices of the financing (except banking) (+32.5%), insurance (+23.1%), import/export trade (+19.4%) and banking (+19.0%) industries. On the other hand, decreases were recorded in business receipts indices of the real estate (-6.7%) and retail (-6.5%) industries during the same period.
Analysed by service domain, business receipts index of the computer and information technology services domain increased by 60.2% year-on-year during the same period, while that of the tourism, convention and exhibition services domain also increased by 1.1% year-on-year.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, business receipts in value terms of many major service industries recorded increases of varying magnitudes in the first quarter of 2025 when compared with the fourth quarter of 2024. In particular, double-digit increases were recorded in business receipts indices of the insurance (+32.5%), import/export trade (+20.3%) and banking (+19.9%) industries. On the other hand, business receipts index of the real estate industry decreased by 5.7% during the same period.
Analysed by service domain, comparing the first quarter of 2025 with the fourth quarter of 2024 on a seasonally adjusted basis, business receipts index of the computer and information technology services domain increased by 50.3%, while that of the tourism, convention and exhibition services domain also increased by 0.7%.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business receipts of many service industries recorded increases in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier. More notable increases in business receipts were seen for the financing (except banking), insurance, import/export trade and banking industries.
Looking ahead, business of the service industries should be supported by economic growth. Continued growth of the Mainland economy and the Hong Kong Government’s various measures to boost economic momentum should be conducive to the businesses of the services industries, though some industries may be affected by the continued headwinds stemming from the uncertainties in the external environment and the changing consumption patterns of residents and visitors in the local market.
Further information
Table 1 presents the business receipts indices and their corresponding year-on-year rates of change in respect of selected service industries and service domains for the recent five quarters, while Table 2 shows the corresponding quarter-to-quarter rates of change in the business receipts indices for the recent five quarters based on the seasonally adjusted series.
The revised figures of business receipts indices for the first quarter of 2025 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/web_table.html?id=660-69001
Data for compiling the business receipts indices are mainly based on the Quarterly Survey of Service Industries conducted by the C&SD, supplemented by relevant data provided by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
A service domain differs from a service industry in that it comprises those economic activities which straddle different industries but are somehow related to a common theme. It may include all activities carried out by all establishments in a service industry that is closely related to the domain. For a service industry that is less closely related, however, only a portion of the establishments in the industry or even only part of the economic activities of the establishments is related to the domain. Taking the tourism, convention and exhibition services domain as an example, it includes all services of convention and exhibition organisers, short-term accommodation services and services of travel agents, and some of the services (only those involving visitors as customers) of restaurants, retailers and transport operators.
The classification of service industries follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into relevant industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in the report “Quarterly Business Receipts Indices for Service Industries, First Quarter 2025”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080006&scode=520
For enquiries about the business receipts indices, please contact the Business Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7274 or e-mail: business-receipts@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30
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Construction output for first quarter of 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Construction output for first quarter of 2025
After discounting the effect of price changes, the provisional results showed that the total GVCW performed by main contractors slightly decreased by 0.9% in real terms over the same period. GVCW in real terms is derived by deflating the corresponding nominal value with an appropriate price index to the price level in the base period of 2000.
Analysed by type of construction works, the GVCW performed at private sector sites totalled $19.4 billion in the first quarter of 2025, down by 10.7% in nominal terms over a year earlier. In real terms, it decreased by 12.7%. The GVCW performed at public sector sites increased by 17.4% in nominal terms over a year earlier to $30.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025. In real terms, it increased by 13.8%.
The GVCW performed by main contractors at locations other than construction sites amounted to $20.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025, down by 3.9% in nominal terms compared with a year earlier. In real terms, it decreased by 5.7%. Construction works at locations other than construction sites included minor new construction activities and decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings; and electrical equipment installation and maintenance works at locations other than construction sites.
Analysed by major end-use group, the GVCW performed at construction sites in respect of residential buildings projects amounted to $20.9 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up by 5.0% in nominal terms over a year earlier. Over the same period, the GVCW performed at construction sites in respect of transport projects down by 19.4% in nominal terms to $8.8 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter basis, the GVCW performed by main contractors slightly increased by 0.1% in nominal terms but decreased by 1.0% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the fourth quarter of 2024.
Table 1 shows the provisional figures on the GVCW performed by main contractors in the first quarter of 2025. Tables 2 and 3 show the revised figures for the whole year of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2024 respectively.
Owing to the widespread sub-contracting practices in the construction industry, a construction establishment can be a main contractor for one contract and a sub-contractor for another contract at the same time. The GVCW performed by main contractors covers only those projects in which the construction establishment takes the role of a main contractor, but not projects in which it takes only the role of a sub-contractor. However, sub-contractors’ contribution to projects should have been included in the GVCW performed by main contractors for whom they worked.
The classification of construction establishments follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on the Quarterly Survey of Construction Output”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1090002&scode=330
For enquiries about the survey results, please contact the Construction and Miscellaneous Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 6965; email: building@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30
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Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for May 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for May 2025
The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs increased from 41.2 in April 2025 in the contractionary zone to 42.1 in May 2025, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. June 2025) outlook DI on business receipts was 45.4. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts, despite below the 50-mark, rose in May 2025 as compared with previous month for many surveyed sectors, particularly for the import and export trades (from 40.2 to 41.9) and wholesale trade (from 40.0 to 41.5).
The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades increased from 42.0 in April 2025 to 44.0 in May 2025, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. June 2025) was 45.8.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that business sentiment among SMEs and their outlook in one month’s time saw some improvement in May, as the global trade tensions eased somewhat. The overall employment situation also turned slightly better.
Looking ahead, the uncertain external environment could continue to affect business sentiment. Nonetheless, the resilient local economy and sustained steady growth in the Mainland economy should provide a solid backstop. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Further information
The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to establishments with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent establishments in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.
The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own establishments rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:30
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Special offers announced in celebration of HKSAR’s 28th anniversary
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Special offers announced in celebration of HKSAR’s 28th anniversary
For public transport, members of the public can enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes from July 1 to 3. The MTR will give away 71 000 e-single journey tickets through a lucky draw on July 1 and provide Airport Express offers to holders of Child Octopus and JoyYou Cards. Moreover, free rides on several ferry routes will be offered to the public on July 1, with vouchers for certain ferry routes to be distributed in advance.
In culture, arts and leisure, the public will be offered free admission to a number of fee-charging leisure and cultural facilities of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on July 1. They can also enjoy free admission to all General Admission exhibitions at M+ and all thematic exhibitions at the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District on that day. Furthermore, additional free guided tours, dining, consumption and accommodation offers will be provided from mid-June to early July by the 12 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.
As for dining and consumption, several public markets under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will roll out different offers. Members of the public can also enjoy a 29 per cent discount when purchasing selected products of the Fish Marketing Organization and the Vegetable Marketing Organization via the “Local Fresh” online store or mobile app from July 1 to 7. The Environmental Protection Department will offer double GREEN$ Points to the public who recycle at its community recycling network GREEN@COMMUNITY on July 1.
Meanwhile, more than 1 000 restaurants and merchants are expected to provide dining offers on July 1. The Peak Tram, Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park Hong Kong will offer ticket discounts, while Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Science Park, various shopping malls and department stores will roll out shopping, dining, consumption or parking offers. In addition, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will team up with local businesses to offer various dining, shopping, attractions, tours and entertainment deals.
The Government thanks various sectors for actively responding to its call by launching special offers and activities to celebrate with the public the HKSAR’s 28th anniversary. Information about the offers and activities is available on the dedicated website (www.hksar28.gov.hkIssued at HKT 13:18
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Special offers announced for Jul 1
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
To celebrate the 28th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s establishment on July 1, the Government and different sectors of the community will launch a rich array of special offers and activities to share with the public the joy of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.
The MTR will give away 71,000 e-single journey tickets through a lucky draw on July 1 and provide Airport Express offers to holders of Child Octopus and JoyYou Cards.
Free rides on several ferry routes will be offered on July 1, with vouchers for certain ferry routes to be distributed in advance. Citizens can also enjoy free rides on all passenger tram routes from July 1 to 3.
On July 1, the use of fee-charging leisure and cultural facilities of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and admission to the Hong Kong Wetland Park under the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department will be complimentary.
The public can also enjoy free admission to all General Admission exhibitions at M+ and all thematic exhibitions at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
Additional free guided tours, dining, consumption and accommodation offers will be available from mid-June to early July by the 12 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme.
As for dining and consumption, over 1,000 restaurants and merchants are expected to provide dining offers on July 1.
Several public markets under the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will roll out offers. Additionally, people can enjoy a 29% discount when purchasing selected products via the “Local Fresh” online store or mobile app from July 1 to 7.
The Environmental Protection Department will award double GREEN$ Points to users who recycle at GREEN@COMMUNITY on July 1.
Separately, the Peak Tram, Ngong Ping 360 and Ocean Park will offer ticket discounts, while Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Science Park, various shopping malls and department stores will roll out shopping, dining, consumption or parking offers.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board will team up with local businesses to provide various dining, shopping, attractions, tours and entertainment deals.
Castle Peak Hospital appeals to public on missing patient
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Castle Peak Hospital appeals to public on missing patient
A 43-year-old female inpatient absconded at about 9am today during a dental follow-up appointment at a clinic outside CPH, for which she had been escorted by staff. CPH immediately reported the incident to the Police for assistance, and has informed the patient’s relatives. The hospital will fully co-operate with the Police for the search.
The patient is 1.61 metres tall, is of medium build with a ponytail. She was wearing a dark blue long-sleeved top, a blue vest jacket and red trousers when she left the hospital.
CPH has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. The hospital appeals to the public to contact Tuen Mun Police Station at 3661 5810 if they know the whereabouts of the patient.
Issued at HKT 16:00
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Resumption of postal services to certain areas in France
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Resumption of postal services to certain areas in FranceIssued at HKT 15:40
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CFS announces Second Hong Kong Total Diet Study findings on nitrate and nitrite
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CFS announces Second Hong Kong Total Diet Study findings on nitrate and nitriteIssued at HKT 15:00
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Free use of leisure and cultural facilities on July 1 in celebration of 28th anniversary of establishment of HKSAR
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
To celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a number of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)’s fee-charging leisure and cultural facilities will open for use by members of the public free of charge on July 1 (Tuesday), which include:
- Indoor leisure facilities: badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls*, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms*, activity rooms, dance rooms and a cycling track*;
- Outdoor leisure facilities: tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, archery ranges* and golf facilities (excluding camp facilities, sports grounds as well as artificial and natural turf pitches);
- Public swimming pools (excluding Wan Chai Swimming Pool, and Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool which is temporarily closed for redevelopment);
- Craft at water sports centres* (recreational kayaks, pedal-driven boats, sampans and colour boats at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre are available for free use by campers only); and
- Permanent exhibitions of the Hong Kong Science Museum and the Hong Kong Space Museum (excluding the shows at Space Theatre)
(* Users are required to possess the relevant qualification certificates.)
The free-of-charge sessions on July 1 will be allocated through balloting. During the period June 14 to 20, members of the public can make ballot applications via SmartPLAY as individual users. Each application can cover a maximum of three balloting choices. For applications made, each applicant can revise the choices before the closing of the application period at 11.59pm on June 20. The computer balloting results will be announced on June 23. Successful applicants will be notified by the SmartPLAY system. For members of the public not having been allocated any balloted free session or made any application, they can book the remaining free sessions, if any, via SmartPLAY on a first-come, first-served basis from June 25. Each successful applicant will be allocated one free session, whether through balloting or first-come, first-served booking.
The LCSD appeals to successful applicants to arrive on time and make the best use of the booked facilities. If a successful applicant fails to take up a booked session 10 minutes after the starting time, the facility will be reallocated to walk-in participants on a first-come, first-served basis for use as the same purpose as that for which it has been booked. The facility should be returned to the original successful applicant if he/she shows up later. All users should observe the Conditions of Use of LCSD Recreation and Sports Facilities as shown on the LCSD website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/condition/index.html (including the “no-show/not present during the use of the booked sessions” penalty). Please call 2414 5555 for enquiry or visit the thematic website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/freeuseday/index.html.
No prior booking is required for public swimming pool facilities. Members of the public may line up at the entrances of swimming pools before the start of a session. Free admission is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Admission will continue to be free at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, the Hong Kong Railway Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, the Law Uk Folk Museum, the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum, the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum, the Hong Kong Film Archive, the Sam Tung Uk Museum and the Oil Street Art Space (Oi!). (The Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum is temporarily closed for upgrading works. The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is closed on Tuesdays (including July 1).)
EMSD announces test results of LPG quality in May 2025
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EMSD announces test results of LPG quality in May 2025
The detailed test results are available on the EMSD’s website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/gas_safety/lpg_vehicle_scheme/publications/general/results_of_lpg_sample_analysis/index.html
In addition, the EMSD has been vetting independent third-party test reports submitted by LPG supply companies for each shipment to ensure that the quality of imported LPG complies with the specified requirements.
Issued at HKT 10:45
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