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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (February 23) figures on the direct economic contribution (in terms of value added) and employment in respect of the Six Industries for 2008 and 2009.
The Government has identified the Six Industries for further development. The Six Industries are cultural and creative industries, medical services, education services, innovation and technology, testing and certification services and environmental industries.
The figures on the Six Industries for 2009 suggest that these industries enjoy advantages and have potential for further development. Although the economy suffered a downturn in 2009, the value added of the Six Industries taken together increased by 3.0% in 2009 as compared with 2008 to HK$123.9 billion. During the same period, a year-on-year decline of 2.6% was recorded for the nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in terms of total gross value added. The value added of the Six Industries expressed as percentage to GDP rose from 7.6% in 2008 to 8.0% in 2009.
As for employment, the Six Industries together employed 394 970 persons in 2009, which increased by 1.7% from 2008. During the same period, total employment recorded a year-on-year decline of 1.0%. The contribution of the Six Industries to total employment increased from 11.0% in 2008 to 11.3% in 2009.
As figures on the Six Industries are available for only two years at present, a longer time series on the performance of the industries would be needed in order to have a clearer picture on their long term growth trend.
Commentary
A Government spokesman says that the value added of the Six Industries increased in 2009, despite the global recession in that year. They outperformed the overall economy by a clear margin with their combined direct contribution to GDP rising to 8.0% in 2009, indicating their strong relative competitiveness.
The spokesman adds that the Government will continue to facilitate the developments of the Six Industries, as part of the efforts to move Hong Kong towards a diversified knowledge-based economy.
Further information
Table 1 presents value added of the Six Industries in 2008 and 2009.
Table 2 presents employment in the Six Industries in 2008 and 2009.
Further information on the statistics of the Six Industries is available at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hong_kong_statistics/four_key_industries/six_industries/index.jsp).
Ends/Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:01
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