XN000022-1995-02-17 — Page 9

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The statistics of domestic exports analysed by industrial origin are derived by re-grouping the merchandise export items originally grouped under the external trade classification system according to the industries in which these merchandise items are normally produced. Transactions in gold and specie are excluded.

The industrial classification used is the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC). The HSIC is to be distinguished from the United Nations Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) used in the regular trade statistics reports. In comparison, the HSIC is more related to production processes whereas the SITC is more geared to end uses of products.

Caution should be taken when referring to these domestic export statistics classified by industrial origin. There may be several intermediate processing stages in the production of certain merchandise export items.

In compiling the statistics, the total value of such an item has however been wholly related to the industry in which the item is finally produced.

The domestic export statistics of a particular industry may include products that are secondary products by establishments of other industries.

Further details of merchandise domestic export statistics classified by industrial origin may be found in a table obtainable from the General Economic Surveys Section of the Census and Statistics Department (telephone 2805 6642).

A table showing more detailed breakdowns of similar statistics for major manufacturing industries is also included in the report "Hong Kong External Trade, December 1994".