XN000022-1996-10-15 — Page 5

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JLG expert group on transitional budget to meet tomorrow

The Sino-British Joint Liaison Group will hold their thirteenth round of expert talks on October 16 and 17 in Hong Kong to discuss the preparation of Hong Kong's transitional Budget and related matters.

The British team will be led by Secretary for the Treasury of the Hong Kong Government, Mr K C Kwong. The Chinese team will be led by the Chinese Representative on the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, Mr Chen Zuo'er. They will be assisted by experts.

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Industrial production index for 2nd quarter of 1996

The index of industrial production for the second quarter of 1996 decreased by 3.6% over the same quarter in 1995, according to the results of a survey released today (Tuesday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

Analysed by industry group, the production of the basic metals and fabricated metal products industry recorded a decrease of 9.7%.

Output of the textiles (including knitting) industry and the paper products and printing industry decreased by 7.8% and 4.4% respectively.

A moderate decrease of 3.9% was registered in the industry group of electrical and electronic products, machinery, professional equipment and optical goods.

Within this group, the production of machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components increased by 4%, whereas the production of consumer electrical and electronic products decreased by 11.8%.

Moderate decreases were also recorded in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (-3.7%); and the wearing apparel (except footwear) industry (-2.8%).

Production of the chemical, rubber, plastic and non-metallic mineral products industry slightly decreased by 1.5%. Within this group, the production of plastic products decreased by 9.8%.