HKMA reports 1.6pc decline in exchange fund external assets in March

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced that foreign assets, the Exchange Fund’s external assets, decreased by 1.6 percent in March to HK$3.57 trillion.

The monetary base stood at HK$2.07 trillion, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, balances of the banking system, and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued.

The claims on the Hong Kong private sector amounted to HK$393.5 billion, and the foreign liabilities stood at HK$78.8 billion.