With the expansion of manufacturing activities offshore since the 1980s, Hong Kong has evolved into a strategic control centre with 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 176 600 people (5.1 per cent of overall employment) in 2006.

The printing and publishing industry was the largest employer in the manufacturing sector as at December 2006, followed by the food and beverages industry. Chart 1 shows the breakdown of employment within the manufacturing sector as at December 2006.

Chart 1

Number of Persons Employed by the Manufacturing

Sector as at December 2006

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 $134.5 billion in 2006 with clothing, electronics, chemical products, jewellery and textiles being the major export items. Chart 2 shows the value breakdown of domestic exports in 2006.

Chart 2

Value of Domestic Exports of the

Manufacturing Sector in 2006