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According to the provisional results of a survey released today (December 16) by the Census and Statistics Department, the index of industrial production for the manufacturing sector as a whole increased by 4.1% in the third quarter of 2005 over a year earlier, as against a 0.1% year-on-year decrease in the second quarter of 2005. The corresponding producer price index increased by 1.0% in the third quarter of 2005 from a year earlier, as compared with a 0.7% year-on-year increase in the second quarter of 2005.
2. Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local manufacturing output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices for manufacturing industries compiled from data on producer prices of industrial goods/services collected from the same survey.
3. Comparing the third quarter of 2005 with a year earlier, the textiles (including knitting) industry had the largest increase in output (+16.5%), followed by the electrical and electronic products, machinery, professional equipment and optical goods industry (+13.6%), the basic metals and fabricated metal products industry (+9.5%), the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+3.8%), and the chemical, rubber, plastic and non-metallic mineral products industry (+0.3%).
4. On the other hand, decreases in output were recorded for the wearing apparel (except footwear) industry (-18.4%), and the paper products and printing industry (-0.9%) in the third quarter of 2005 compared with a year earlier.
5. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for the manufacturing sector as a whole increased by 6.1% in the third quarter of 2005 over the second quarter of 2005.
6. Producer price indices reflect the prices of local manufacturing output. They measure the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by manufacturers. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.
7. Comparing the third quarter of 2005 with a year earlier, the consumer electrical and electronic products industry had the largest increase in producer prices (+7.3%), followed by the fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment) industry (+4.4%), the wearing apparel (except footwear) industry (+4.2%), and the plastic products industry (+1.6%).
8. On the other hand, decreases in producer prices were recorded for the machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components industry (-1.8%), the textiles (including knitting) industry (-1.0%), and the paper products and printing industry (-0.1%) in the third quarter of 2005 compared with a year earlier.
9. Comparing the third quarter of 2005 with the second quarter of 2005, the producer price index for the manufacturing sector as a whole increased by 0.2%.
10. Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production by industry group and selected component industry. Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices by industry group.
11. The reports containing analysis of survey results for the third quarter of 2005 are available for sale in both print version and download version (in PDF format). Both of the "Quarterly Index of Industrial Production, 3rd Quarter 2005" report and the "Quarterly Producer Price Indices for Manufacturing Industries, 3rd Quarter 2005" report are available for sale at $7 per issue. Both print version and download version of the publications can be purchased online at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (http://www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk). Download version of the publications can be purchased at 75% of its original price exclusively at the online Statistical Bookstore. Print version if purchased online is also offered a discount, at 85% of its original price at the Statistical Bookstore as well as the Government Bookstore (Address : http://www.isd.gov.hk/eng/bookorder.htm).
12. Print version can be purchased through mail order by completing and returning an order form which can be downloaded from the website of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/eng/prod_serv/forms_index.html), or in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel.: 2582 3025).
13. In mid-December 2005 when the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC6) is to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, there will be a number of block-off and traffic diversion arrangements in the Wan Chai North area. Special security measures will be put in place in the Wanchai Tower where offices of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), including its Publications Sales Centre, are located.
14. To facilitate the purchase of the C&SD publications during the MC6 period, a temporary publications sales centre will be operated on 5/F of Fortress Tower, 250 King¡¦s Road, North Point, from 8 December to 20 December 2005. During this period, the C&SD Publications Sales Centre on 19/F of Wanchai Tower will suspend its service and will resume operation on 21 December 2005 (Wednesday).
15. Apart from the C&SD Publications Sales Centre, the C&SD publications are also available for sale at the Publications Sales Unit of the Information Services Department at Room 402, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central.
16. Enquiries about the survey results may be directed to the Industrial Production & Tourism Statistics Section of the C&SD at Tel. 2805 6643 or email address ind-production@censtatd.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, December 16, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:16
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