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According to the provisional results of a survey released today (December 14) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the index of industrial production for the manufacturing sector as a whole decreased by 0.6% in the third quarter of 2006 from a year earlier, as against a 5.3% year-on-year increase in the second quarter of 2006. The corresponding producer price index increased by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2006 over a year earlier, as compared with a 2.4% year-on-year increase in the second quarter of 2006.
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.
Comparing the third quarter of 2006 with a year earlier, the textiles (including knitting) industry had the largest decrease in output (-12.8%), followed by the wearing apparel (except footwear) industry (-9.2%), and the electrical and electronic products, machinery, professional equipment and optical goods industry (-7.3%).
On the other hand, increases in output were recorded for the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+12.3%), the chemical, rubber, plastic and non-metallic mineral products industry (+6.2%), the basic metals and fabricated metal products industry (+4.8%), and the paper products and printing industry (+4.3%) in the third quarter of 2006 over a year earlier.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for the manufacturing sector as a whole decreased by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2006 as compared with the second quarter of 2006.
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.
Comparing the third quarter of 2006 with a year earlier, the fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment) industry had the largest increase in producer prices (+10.0%), followed by the plastic products industry (+5.2%), the paper products and printing industry (+1.2%), and the wearing apparel (except footwear) industry (+0.1%).
On the other hand, decreases in producer prices were noted in the machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components industry (-8.0%), the consumer electrical and electronic products industry (-4.5%), and the textiles (including knitting) industry (-0.2%) in the third quarter of 2006 compared with a year earlier.
Comparing the third quarter of 2006 with the second quarter of 2006, the producer price index for the manufacturing sector as a whole increased by 0.2%.
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.
The reports containing analysis of survey results for the third quarter of 2006 are available in both print version and download version (in PDF format). Both of the "Quarterly Index of Industrial Production, 3rd Quarter 2006" report and the "Quarterly Producer Price Indices for Manufacturing Industries, 3rd Quarter 2006" report can be downloaded free of charge at the "Statistical Bookstore, Hong Kong" (www.statisticalbookstore.gov.hk) of the C&SD. The print versions of the publications can be purchased in the following ways:
(i) Purchase in person at the Publications Unit of the C&SD (Address: 19/F Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai; Tel: 2582 3025). The price of each of the two reports is $8 per copy.
(ii) Complete a mail order form which is available for downloading from the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/products_and_services/other_services/ provision_of_stat/mail_ordering_of_publications/index.jsp) and return it to C&SD. Prices (excluding postage) are the same as above.
(iii) Purchase online at the Statistical Bookstore or the Government Bookstore of the Information Services Department (www.isd.gov.hk/eng/bookorder.htm). Print versions if purchased online are offered a discount and are sold at 85% of their original prices. After discount, the price (excluding postage) of each of the two reports is $6.8 per copy.
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/Thursday, December 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:15
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