ENG-1992 — Page 98

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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Clothing

The clothing industry is the largest employer and export-earner. In 1992, it employed 186 743 workers (33 per cent of total manufacturing employment) and earned $77,156 million in exports (33 per cent of Hong Kong's total domestic exports). Hong Kong is one of the world's leading suppliers of clothing, and produces a wide variety of products, from simple accessories to expensive and high-quality fashion wear.

Electronics

The electronics industry (including the manufacture of electronic watches and clocks, and electronic toys) is the second largest employer and export-earner. In 1992, it employed 60 653 workers (11 per cent of total manufacturing employment), and earned $60,291 million in exports (25.8 per cent of total domestic exports). The industry produces a wide range of sophisticated finished products and components, including radio and television sets, calculators, wired and cordless telephones, modems, photocopying equipment, micro- computers, computer memory systems, dot matrix printers, talk-back toys, switching power supplies, multi-layer printed circuit boards, electronic modules, liquid crystal displays, quartz crystals and semiconductor devices, and surface-mounted devices.

Textiles

--The textiles industry is the third largest export-earner. It comprises four main sectors: spinning, weaving, knitted fabrics manufacturing and finishing. In 1992, it employed 53 204 workers (nine per cent of total manufacturing employment), and earned $17,226 million in exports (7.4 per cent of total domestic exports). On top of its role as an exporter, the textiles industry is a major supplier of yarns and fabrics of various fibres and blends (mostly cotton) to the local clothing manufacturers who are actually the textiles sector's largest customer.

Watches and Clocks

In 1992, the watches and clocks industry employed 18 995 workers (three per cent of total manufacturing employment) and earned $15,476 million in exports. Besides complete electrical and mechanical watches and clocks, the industry also produces high quality components and accessories. The world's first water watch was manufactured in Hong Kong in 1987.

Plastics

In 1992, the plastic products industry employed 35 347 workers (six per cent of total manu- facturing employment), and earned $7,508 million in exports (3.2 per cent of total domestic exports). Plastic household articles and plastic toys together accounted for 40 per cent of domestic exports of plastic products. Other major export items included travel goods, handbags, footwear, and plastic flowers.

Toys

Hong Kong's toy industry has an international reputation, but its various segments are classified under the plastics, electronics, metal products and other industries in official