Hong Kong's Land Registry announced Wednesday that the total consideration of sale and purchase agreements in January was 59.1 billion HK dollars (about 7.6 billion U.S. dollars), up 32.1 percent compared with January, 2010.

The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in January was 9,917, down 15.9 percent compared with December, 2010, down 19.9 percent compared with January, 2010.

The total consideration of sale and purchase agreements in January was 59.1 billion HK dollars, up 10.6 percent compared with December, 2010, up 32.1 percent compared with January, 2010.

Sales of residential units refer to the sale and purchase agreements with payment of stamp duty. These statistics do not include sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme and the Tenants Purchase Scheme except those after payment of premium. (1 U.S. dollar = 7. 77 HK dollars)