The Hong Kong economy continued to record moderate growth in the second quarter of 2024. Externally, total exports of goods continued to grow strongly while exports of services saw decelerated growth. Domestically, overall investment expenditure rose further, but private consumption expenditure turned to a slight decline. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.3% year-on-year, having increased by 2.8% in the preceding quarter. On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, real GDP increased by 0.4%. Looking ahead, the economy should continue to grow in the remainder of the year, but various factors including geopolitical tensions and global economic and interest rates outlook may pose uncertainties on different fronts. Exports of goods should sustain a positive performance if external demand holds up, though trade conflicts would present risks. Continued local economic expansion should lend support to fixed asset investment, but geopolitical tensions and interest rate uncertainties may dampen business confidence and asset markets. As regards inbound tourism and private consumption, the Central Government’s various measures benefitting Hong Kong, our strenuous efforts to boost market sentiment and improve employment earnings would provide support, but the changes in the consumption patterns of visitors and residents and the relatively strong Hong Kong dollar may continue to pose challenges. Taking into account the actual outturn in the first half of the year and the latest developments of the global and local situation, the real GDP growth forecast for 2024 as a whole is maintained at 2.5%-3.5%. The forecast rates of underlying and headline consumer price inflation for 2024 are revised down to 1.3% and 1.9% respectively.