The Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on the 11th that the current trend index of business returns for small and medium-sized enterprises in Hong Kong has decreased from 45.8 in the contraction zone in July 2023 to 43.8 in August of the same year, while the business return outlook trend index for the next month is 47.4. According to industry analysis, the current trend index of business income in all industries covered by statistical surveys has decreased compared to the previous month in August this year, especially in the real estate industry, which decreased from 46.4 to 42.9, and the catering industry, which decreased from 48 to 44.9. As for the current trend index of new orders in the import and export trade industry, it decreased from 46.8 in July this year to 45.3 in August of the same year, while the outlook trend index for new orders in the next month is 48.5. A spokesperson for the SAR government stated that the overall business atmosphere of small and medium-sized enterprises fell in August of this year, and expectations for business performance in the next month also softened, while the overall employment situation remained generally stable. Looking ahead, the spokesperson pointed out that the difficult global economic environment and tight financial conditions will continue to affect the business atmosphere. However, the improvement of the local economic situation, as well as multiple measures taken by the SAR government to consolidate the momentum of economic recovery, should provide support. (New News Agency)