The expansion of manufacturing activities offshore since the 1980s has turned Hong Kong into a strategic control centre in 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 178 800 people (5.3 per cent of overall employment) in 2005.

The printing and publishing industry was the largest employer in the manufacturing sector as at September 2005, followed by the clothing industry. Chart 1 shows the breakdown of employment within the manufacturing sector as at September 2005.

Chart 1:

Number of Persons Employed by the Manufacturing Sector as at September 2005

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 clothing, watches and clocks, toys, jewellery and textiles. Domestic exports amounted to $136 billion in 2005 with clothing, electronics, chemical products, jewellery and textiles being the major export items. Chart 2 shows the value breakdown of domestic exports in 2005.

Chart 2:

Value of Domestic Exports of the Manufacturing Sector in 2005