ENG-1985 — Page 84

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INDUSTRY AND TRADE

for industrial investment promotion purposes, collects and collates industrial data, con- ducts research and surveys and handles special issues affecting industry.

The Industrial Infrastructure Division monitors raw material supplies (in particular fuel and other essential oil products), and plays an active role in ensuring the provision of adequate infrastructural facilities including the smooth movement of freight within and outside Hong Kong at equitable freight rates, in the provision of training facilities to satisfy manpower needs of industry, and in the examination of the effects of environmental legislation on industry. It also advises the government on industrial land matters.

The promotion of investment, by local as well as overseas interests, in Hong Kong's manufacturing industry is the task of the Industrial Promotion Division. The division carries out this work through a ‘One Stop Unit' in the department's head office in Hong Kong and through overseas offices in London, Stuttgart, Tokyo and San Francisco as well as the new office in New York. All the offices are staffed by specialist industrial promotion officers whose main aims are to publicise Hong Kong's attractions as a manufacturing location and to provide comprehensive advice and assistance to potential investors.

The Industrial Support Division is concerned with the government's contribution towards the provision of industrial support facilities and technical back-up services. It comprises the secretariat for the Industry Development Board; a Product Standards Branch responsible for providing industry with information on overseas standards requirements and for issues relating to industrial product design and packaging and quality assurance, and the Standards and Calibration Laboratory.

External Trade

Total merchandise trade in 1985 amounted to $466,572 million, an increase of 5 per cent over 1984. Imports rose by 4 per cent to $231,420 million and re-exports by 26 per cent to $105,270 million while domestic exports decreased by 5.8 per cent to $129,882 million. Domestic exports and re-exports together, valued at $235,152 million, registered an increase of 6 per cent. Appendices 11 and 12 provide summary statistics of external trade.

Hong Kong is almost entirely dependent on imported resources to meet the needs of its population of more than 5.4 million and its diverse industries. In 1985, imports of raw materials and semi-manufactured goods totalled $97,385 million, representing 42 per cent of total imports. The principal items imported were transistors, diodes, semi-conductors and integrated circuits ($6,242 million); fabrics of man-made fibres ($9,979 million); iron and steel ($6,072 million); woven cotton fabrics ($5,853 million); plastic moulding materials ($5,128 million) as well as watch and clock movements, cases and parts ($5,379 million).

Imports of consumer goods, valued at $66,730 million, constituted 29 per cent of total imports. The major consumer goods imported were clothing ($13,216 million); radios, television receivers, gramophones, records, amplifiers and tape recorders ($7,619 million); diamonds ($4,028 million); watches ($3,749 million); baby carriages, toys, games and sporting goods ($3,034 million); cameras and photography supplies ($2,743 million).

Imports of capital goods amounted to $36,228 million, or 16 per cent of total imports. Imported capital goods consisted mainly of transport equipment ($5,269 million), office machines ($3,944 million), electrical machinery ($5,145 million), electronic components and parts for computers ($4,529 million) and textile machinery ($1,669 million).

Imports of foodstuffs were valued at $20,752 million, representing 9 per cent of total imports. The principal imported food items were fish and fish preparations ($3,424 million), fruit ($2,900 million), meat and meat preparations ($2,535 million) and vegetables ($2,083 million).