ENG-1951 — Page 72

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Plastics

The first half of the year saw difficulties in supply of raw material, but once these had been overcome a fair volume of business was done. The state of business varied; one small factory went into liquidation while at the same time good results were enjoyed by a leading factory equipped with modern machinery and capable of producing its own moulds.

Heavier Industries

These continue to develop. Hong Kong now has rolling mills for brass and aluminium sheet, and factories making printing machinery and textile equipment. One metalware factory is building all its own machinery for the setting up of branch factories at Jesselton, North Borneo, and at Singapore. Other products include diesel engines for marine craft, and complete diesel generator sets.

Sugar Refining

The Colony's one refinery has been rehabilitated and is now in full-scale production.

Ginger

1951 was not a particularly good year for the ginger industry; although the principal distributors reported an increase of 20% in turnover as against 1950. The best post-war year was 1949, 1951 being some 30% below this. In volume the 1951 trade was some 2,700 tons, valued at $6 million.

Raw materials showed an increase in price of some 10%, with buying offers generally at some 10% below former prices.