Hong Kong recorded a 34.8 per cent year-on-year increase in the value of exports in January, to $182.4 billion - the highest growth rate in 13 years.
December's exports grew by 12.9 per cent in value.
A government spokesman described January's trade results as 'exceptionally distinct' but noted that there was some distortion due to the timing of the Lunar New Year break. The holiday fell around mid-February this year and late January in 2004.
HSBC economist for greater China George Leung Siu-kay also pointed out that the export value figure was not a record high, as total exports hit $191.2 billion in October last year.
He said that a more accurate picture of Hong Kong's economic health would emerge once February's trade results were taken into account.
'The results don't necessarily show that exports are strong as February will likely fall to single-digit growth,' Mr Leung said. HSBC had forecast January growth at between 28 per cent and 30 per cent.
