Hong Kong's total exports in March rose 8 percent from a year earlier, while imports were 10.7 percent higher, the Census and Statistics Department said yesterday.

The value of exports amounted to HK$347.7 billion, while the value of imports of goods stood at HK$403.2 billion, it said.

A Government spokesman said uncertainties arising from trade tensions between the United States and other major economies have increased.

He said the possible spillover from the normalization of US monetary policies and elevated geopolitical tensions in various regions also warrant attention.

Total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 9.4 percent. Increased exports were registered in certain major destinations, particularly Malaysia where exports grew 17.5 percent, followed by China, up 17.3 percent and Singapore up 4.7 percent. On the other hand, exports to India fell by 35.3 percent, while exports to Taiwan were 7.4 percent lower.

The value of Hong Kong imports from Malaysia surged 98.1 percent, while those from Switzerland rose 45.8 percent. Imports from Taiwan were 34.9 percent while those from Singapore rose 22.1 percent.

Source from: thestandard