MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1986
HK LEADS THE WAY IN WATCHES, CLOCKS
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IN NUMBERS, HONG KONG IS NOW THE LARGEST EXPORTER OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS IN THE WORLD, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
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SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIFTH HONG KONG WATCH AND CLOCK FAIR. SIR DAVID NOTED THAT IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1986 ALONE THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS WAS $5 BILLION, OR 22 PER CENT MORE THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
HE RECALLED THAT 20 YEARS AGO THERE WERE ONLY 25 FACTORIES, BUT NOW THERE WERE 1 500 EMPLOYING OVER 36 000 WORKERS.
+THE MAKING OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS HAS GROWN TO BE BIG BUSINESS FOR HONG KONG, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY HAD NOT BEEN ALL PLAIN SAILING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS COMPETITION FROM OVERSEAS PRODUCERS THREAT OF PROTECTIONISM AND RESTRICTION, DEPENDENCE ON OVERSEAS SUPPLY FOR ESSENTIAL PARTS SUCH AS CHIPS, QUARTZ CRYSTALS AND LCD DISPLAYS AND SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR.
HE ADDED THAT CONSUMERS BECAME MORE SOPHISTICATED AND SELECTIVE, AND LOOKED NOT JUST AT PRICE BUT ALSO AT ORIGINALITY AND QUALITY,
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+OUR MANUFACTURERS ARE THEREFORE FACING COMPETITION IN TERMS OF PRODUCT SAFETY, PRODUCT RELIABILITY AND ATTRACTIVENESS OF DESIGN.
+THEIR ABILITY TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES IS DEMONSTRATED IN OUR STRONG EXPORT GROWTH, SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THAT A RECENT ADDITION TO THE GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY, THE HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY, WAS SET UP IN MARCH THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE A DESIGN CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO STIMULATE INTEREST. IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND TO ENCOURAGE PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION.
+A TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL DESIGNERS WHO KNOW THE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL SCENE AND OVERSEAS MARKET SITUATIONS, ARE GUIDED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL, TECHNICAL AND ACADEMIC EXPERTISE+, HE EXPLAINED.
+ THE COMPANY IS THERE TO SERVE OUR MANUFACTURERS.+
+1 HOPE YOU WILL MAKE THE BEST USE OF ITS SERVICES,+ HE ADDED.
/SIR DAVID