RPT-PRESS DIGEST - Hong Kong - July 24

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HONG KONG, July 24 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Hong Kong newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

HONG KONG ECONOMIC TIMES

-- Property agencies have reacted to reports that layoffs of agents are forthcoming in a market slowdown, saying the adjustment will be short term and there won't be layoff exercises.

APPLE DAILY

-- Coca Cola Hong Kong has started making its 11 brands of soft drink in a smaller can. However, retail prices of these 330ml cans are the same as the old 355ml cans.

-- Hong Kong ranked sixth place among more than 140 cities in a survey measuring living costs for expatriate workers in cities.

MING PAO DAILY NEWS

-- Swire Properties said it is to spend HK$1.5 billion to refurbish its Pacific Place mall in a 2-½ year project.

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

-- Bank of Communications' (3328.HK) HK$3.43 billion bond sale broke the previous record as the offer was 7.7 times subscribed, sources said.

-- Macau's casino revenues fell 3.1 per cent in the second quarter, the first quarter-on-quarter decline since the market was liberalised in 2005.

THE STANDARD

-- An intensive probe into a reported data-for-sale scam is underway at the Inland Revenue Department. A newspaper report said an assistant taxation officer revealed the scam through an anonymous letter.

SING PAO

-- Publishers aim to achieve 20 percent higher turnover than last year at this year's Book Fair. They have offered a range of free items to attract customers.

WEN WEI PO

-- Hong Kong's total exports in June are expected to increase on the year by 9 percent, extending a slowdown of growth according to a trend survey.

TA KUNG PAO

-- Hong Kong stock exchange operator HKEx (0388.HK) is poised to launch the first gold price tracer fund (ETF) that would allow arbitration with gold futures trading.

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