HONG Kong recorded sharp declines in the value of its domestic exports in the third quarter, the Census and Statistics Department said yesterday.

The apparel industry suffered the most, with the value of exports plunging 84.7 percent year on year to HK$1.1 billion (US$141 million), the department said.

The basic metals industry trailed with a tumble of 49.1 percent, followed by the paper and paper products, and printing and reproduction of recorded media industry.

The chemicals and chemical products industry was also one of the biggest losers.

The computer, electronic and optical products industry posted a decline of 8.8 percent in the value of domestic exports to HK$3.4 billion, suffering the least among the five leading industries in terms of volume of exports.

The above five industries together accounted for 60 percent of Hong Kong's total domestics exports, or the exports of goods produced or manufactured in the special administrative region.