56
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
for export to many parts of the world. Exports were valued at £103,227, the principal buyers being Western Germany, Thailand and Malaya.
Cement. The Green Island Cement Co. Ltd., employing about 260 workers, manufactures cement chiefly for local use, but 1,036,191 cwt., valued at £396,821, was exported to North Borneo, South Korea, Malaya and other countries.
Cigars and cigarettes, manufactured from imported tobacco by 6 factories, employing over 1,140 workers, and using modern machinery. The bulk of production is consumed locally, but 146,209 lbs. of cigarettes, valued at £42,703, were exported, Macau and Indonesia being the principal buyers.
Matches. 4 factories, employing about 680 workers, with steady markets in Malaya, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, and Middle and Near East countries. Exports amounted to 15,120 cases, valued at £144,032.
Among the many other local industries, sawmills and the manufacture of wooden articles employ 1,717 workers; print- ing, publishing and paper dyeing, 7,235 workers; chemicals and cosmetics, 1,889; glass, pottery, clay and abrasives, 2,052.
TRADE
Tables showing the value of imports from and exports to the principal countries trading with the Colony, and the main commodities concerned, with comparative figures for 1953 and 1954, are at Appendices VII, VIII, IX and X.
The total value of the Colony's external trade in 1955 increased by 7%, and was reflected in cargo tonnage, which rose to 5,896,367 tons, compared with 5,176,256 tons in 1954.
The value of exports of Hong Kong products again increased, compensating to some extent for the restricted and declining export trade with China. Imports from China increased in value by 30%, and considerable increases were also registered in imports from the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, and Thailand. Exports, including re- exports, to China and Taiwan showed a reduction of more than 50%, but exports increased to the United Kingdom (55% higher than in 1954), Malaya, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
The rise in imports from the United Kingdom was due principally to increased purchases of textile fibres, metals,