XN000022-1974-03-21 — Page 12

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Thursday, March 21, 1974

GOVERNOR TOURS OPTICAL FACTORY

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The Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, today toured the North

Point factory of W. Haking Industries (Mechanics & Optics) Ltd to see

manufacturing operations in progress.

The firm employs over 3,000 workers and is the largest and

most sophisticated manufacturer in the photographic and optical products

industry in Hong Kong.

Sir Murray visited the firm's 20-storey complex at Haking

Building, 981, King's Road, accompanied by the Director of Commerce

and Industry, Mr. David Jordan. They were net on arrival by the governing

directors, Mr. Haking Wong and Miss Pauline Chan.

As well as seeing manufacturing operations, Sir Murray also

visited some of the family living quarters provided for the factory's

employees.

At the end of 1973 the photographic and optical instruments

industry in Hong Kong comprised 51 factories employing 3,300 workers.

Exports of cameras and other optical instruments last year amounted to

$136 million an increase of 34 per cent over 1972.

The main overseas markets for the industry are the United States,

Britain, the Federal Republic of Germany, Australia and Singapore. The

value of exports has increased steadily over the past four years, averaging

an annual growth rate of 23 per cent.

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