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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
Leather and Travel Goods. Suitcases, travelling bags, trunks and handbags, and all varieties of leatherware are manufactured in the Colony. Both imported and locally tanned hides and skins are used in production.
Cement. The cement needs of the Colony's constantly expanding building industry are met in large measure by the products of one large establishment. All raw materials, apart from some clay and iron ore, are imported.
Cordage, Rope and Twine. The requirements of shipping using the port gave rise early to the rope industry which is one of the oldest established in Hong Kong. All types of ropes and hawsers are manufactured from imported Manila hemp.
Plasticware. A very wide variety of small articles is produced and locally-made dies and moulds are used. The latter are of a high standard of workmanship and are now exported to manu- facturers in other parts of the world. Most of the larger establish- ments have fully up-to-date equipment, some of the injection and extrusion machines being manufactured in the Colony. Tooth brushes, mugs, beakers, combs, coat hangers, chopsticks, cigarette cases, mahjong sets, toys and novelties, many of which are of considerable ingenuity, are made. The well known 'Walt Disney' and "Tom & Jerry' characters are produced under licence. Within the past year a number of existing plastic factories have turned to the production of artificial flowers and many small factories have recently been established to meet the overseas demand for this commodity. The flowers, of excellent quality and design, are ex- ported principally to the United States and European countries. An ancillary industry is the plastic coating of rattan by extrusion for use by local rattan weavers. Plastic insulation of wire is also carried out.
Wood and Rattan. The manufacture of good-quality wooden furniture and toys is a sizeable industry in the Colony, and Hong Kong bamboo and rattan household articles have achieved a world-wide popularity.
Wood carving in camphorwood and teak is a traditional skill. Aircraft Engineering. One large establishment in the Colony provides transit and repair facilities for eighteen airlines using Kai Tak Airport. Facilities exist for complete airframe and engine
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