TNAG-1054-FCO40-1304-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-UK-1981 — Page 54

Electronics

The electronics industry is our second largest export earner, accounting for nearly one-fifth of domestic exports. It comprises over 1,000 factories employing about 90,000 workers-or 10 per cent of the manufacturing workforce. Overseas involvement in this industry is prominent and has helped the industry to evolve very rapidly from the simple assembly of transistor radios to the manufacture of sophisticated and high quality articles such as computer memory systems, computer testing equip- ment, integrated circuits, semi-conductors, wafer chips, liquid crystal displays, tape recorders, calculators and television sets.

Diamonds for making jewellery are cut by automated sawing machine.

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Plastics

Third in economic importance, the plastics industry accounts for eight per cent of domestic exports and 10 per cent of the manufacturing workforce. Many of the injection and extrusion machines, and virtually all moulds used in the industry are manufactured locally. Much of the production is in high quality toys, of which Hong Kong is now the world's largest exporter. In addition, a wide variety of other goods is produced. These include household articles- ranging from heat-insulated plastic tumblers and jugs-to polypropylene and fibreglass reinforced plastic furniture.

Watches and Clocks

The watch and clock industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, with domestic exports doubling each year. Hong Kong is now an important world exporter of watches.

The industry employs about four per cent of the manufacturing workforce. It produces a wide variety of electronic and mechanical watches, clocks and high quality watch components and accessories including movements, cases and metal watch bands.

Light Engineering

Ferrous bars and sheets used by the engineering industry are generally imported, as are many of the ferrous castings and forgings although the industry is turning more towards local production. Some of the non-ferrous materials are imported, although they are also produced in Hong Kong from imported ingots. Metal machining and finishing is of a high standard.

The range and variety of the industry's products is wide. Some significant examples are torches, photo- graphic and optical goods, fishing reels, stainless steel flatware and holloware, screws and cans.

Machine Tools and Industrial Equipment

The manufacture of machine tools and industrial equipment provides essential support to other local industries, and contributes to Hong Kong's export earnings. Particularly important are blow moulding, injection moulding and extrusion machines of up to 150-ounce (4,250-gram) capacity for the plastics industry; power presses; lathes; shapers; drilling machines; polishing machines; printing presses; textile knitting and warping machines; and electro- plating equipment.

Closely allied are such supporting facilities as tool and die making, heat treatment, electroplating, and precision machining, which are developing rapidly. Examples of locally-produced tools and moulds are plastic injection moulds, blow moulds, rotocast moulds, blanking dies, slush moulds, trim and form tools. A high level of precision is generally achieved, and the makers are capable of working to fine tolerances.

In electroplating, standards and techniques are being constantly upgraded. Apart from plating of tin, copper, nickel, chrome and precious metals, the use of such alloys as nickel-cobalt, molybdenum- nickel and boron-nickel is now being introduced.