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The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (October 31) released the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification Version 2.0 (HSIC V2.0), which is a revised statistical classification framework for classifying economic units into industry classes.
C&SD has all along been following closely the definitions, concepts and methods on statistical matters and classification systems promulgated by international organisations. Since 1990, classifications of economic activities have been standardised and published as the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC). It is a statistical classification framework for classifying economic units into industry classes based on their major economic activities. This framework not only provides a basic stratification for sample selection of economic units in various surveys, but also serves as a standard industrial classification in Hong Kong for compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistics by economic activities. Its adoption benefits both data producers and data users. Data-sharing is facilitated among producers while consistent and comparable data are available for analysis by users. Given its compatibility with internationally accepted industrial classification systems all along, the HSIC also facilitates overseas users in analysing local data.
The HSIC has been reviewed from time to time to reflect significant changes in the structure of the Hong Kong economy and the emergence of new economic activities. A full-scale revision exercise has been completed. The revised HSIC, i.e. HSIC V2.0, adopts the basic framework and principles of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities Revision 4 (ISIC Rev. 4), which was released officially by the United Nations Statistics Division in August 2008.
HSIC V2.0 will be used progressively in different surveys by the C&SD starting from 2009.
Detailed information on HSIC V2.0 is given in the manual "Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0". Users can download this manual (in PDF format) free of charge on the website of the C&SD (http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/products/publications/classification_lists/index_cd_B2XX000401E_dt_detail.jsp).
Print version of the manual will be available for sale at HK$164 per issue. Purchase can be done in person at the Publications Unit of C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel: 2582 3025) or through mail order by returning a completed order form which can be downloaded from the C&SD's website (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp). Print version of the manual will also be available for sale online at the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.bookstore.gov.hk).
A search tool for checking HSIC V2.0 information is being developed and will be available on the website of the C&SD when ready.
Enquiries about HSIC V2.0 can be directed to the Central Register of Establishments Section of C&SD (Tel: 2582 4765).
Ends/Friday, October 31, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:31
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