**********************************************************
According to the results of the 2004 Annual Survey of Industrial Production released today (December 1) by the Census and Statistics Department, the gross output of the manufacturing sector amounted to $157.6 billion in 2004, increased by 0.8% from a year earlier.
2. The gross surplus of the manufacturing sector increased by 8% over a year earlier to $18.7 billion in 2004.
3. The value added of the manufacturing sector, which is a measure of its contribution to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product, amounted to $46.7 billion in 2004, or a decrease of 0.1% from a year earlier.
4. Within the manufacturing sector, the five largest broad industry groups in terms of value added in 2004 were (1) paper products, printing and publishing industry; (2) basic metals, fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment industry; (3) food, beverages and tobacco industry; (4) textiles (including knitting) industry; and (5) wearing apparel, except knitwear and footwear industry. They together accounted for 79.7% of the total value added of the whole sector.
5. Comparing 2004 with a year earlier, increases in value added of various magnitudes were observed in five broad industry groups, namely the basic metals, fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment industry (4.5%); other miscellaneous manufacturing industries (3.6%); food, beverages and tobacco industry (3.4%); electrical and electronic products industry (2.3%); and textiles (including knitting) industry (0.5%).
6. On the other hand, value added in the chemical, rubber, plastic and non-metallic mineral products industry decreased by 11.9%; wearing apparel, except knitwear and footwear industry by 3.7%; and paper products, printing and publishing industry by 1.9%.
7. The attached table shows the principal industrial production statistics by broad industry group.
8. The survey was conducted from January to October 2005. Apart from manufacturing establishments, the survey also enumerated establishments engaged in quarrying; and supply of electricity, gas and water.
9. More detailed survey results will be given in the "Report on 2004 Annual Survey of Industrial Production" to be available in January 2006, in both print version and download version (in PDF format). It can be purchased online at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (http://www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk). Print version can be purchased through mail order by completing and returning an order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD's website (http://www.info.gov.hk/censtatd/eng/prod_serv/forms_index.html). Purchase in person can be made at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address: 19/F, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel.: 2582 3025).
10. For enquiries about the survey results, please contact the Industrial Production and Tourism Statistics Section of the Census and Statistics Department at telephone 2882 4208 or email manufacturing@censtatd.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, December 1, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:15
NNNN