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Innovation, technology and relocation of lower value-added operations
to the Mainland have accelerated the development of more knowledge-based
and higher value-added manufacturing activities, as well as manufacturing-related
services or producer services. Expansion of manufacturing activities offshore
since the 1980s has turned Hong Kong into a strategic control centre of
an increasingly globalised production network. In spite of Hong Kong's
economic restructuring, the manufacturing sector remained an important
sector of the economy, providing employment to 168 300 persons (7.6 per
cent of the total private sector employees) in December 2003.
The printing and publishing industry was the largest
employer in the manufacturing sector in 2003, followed by the clothing
industry. Chart 1 shows the breakdown of
employment within the manufacturing sector in 2003.
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Chart1:Number of Persons Employed by the Manufacturing
Sector as at September 2003 |
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The manufacturing sector remains export-oriented and
its excellent performance contributed to Hong Kong's ranking as one of
the world's leading exporters of textiles, clothing, watches and clocks,
toys and jewellery. Domestic exports amounted to $122 billion in 2003
with clothing, electronics, textiles, chemical products and jewellery
being the major export items. Chart 2 shows
the value breakdown of domestic exports in 2003.
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Chart 2: Value of Domestic Exports of the
Manufacturing Sector in 2003 |
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The manufacturing sector is dominated by SMEs. Of
the 16 270 manufacturing establishments in 2003, 16 060 (98.7 per cent)
employed fewer than 100 persons, accounting for 64 per cent of Hong Kong's
total manufacturing employment. Many SMEs are linked with larger factories
through an efficient and flexible sub-contracting network. This arrangement
has enabled the manufacturing sector to respond swiftly to market changes. |
