Hong Kong’s exports rose by 16 per cent in September compared with last year, driven by significantly growing demand from Asian markets such as Vietnam and Malaysia, amid continuing uncertainties due to United States’ trade policies.

The value of the city’s exports for September reached HK$462.3 billion (US$59.5 billion), pushing the third quarter total to HK$1.35 trillion, a 15 per cent increase from the same quarter last year, according to the Census and Statistics Department.

The 16.1 per cent rise in September also marked the strongest year-on-year growth since March, when total exports reached HK$455.53 billion, and an increase of 18.5 per cent compared with the same month last year.

In September, imports grew by 13.6 per cent to HK$512 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of HK$50.2 billion.

A government spokesman said exports to mainland China and most other Asian markets saw robust growth, and shipments to the United States and the European Union also grew moderately.

“Looking ahead, Hong Kong’s merchandise trade performance should continue to be underpinned by the sustained expansion in the global economy,” he said.