The manufacturing sector's gross output amounted to $198.2 billion in 2001, representing a decrease of 12% over the year before.

The figures were recorded in the 2001 Annual Survey of Industrial Production, the results of which were announced today by the Census & Statistics Department.

The gross surplus of the manufacturing sector, which is equal to gross output less total operating expenditure, decreased by 18% to $24.3 billion in 2001. The gross surplus accounted for 12.3% of gross output in 2001. This ratio was 0.9% lower than the 13.2% recorded in 2000.

The manufacturing sector contributed $61.8 billion in 2001Pro to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product, representing a decrease of 11%.

The five largest broad industry groups in 2001 were:

* paper products, printing and publishing; 

* electrical and electronic products

* basic metals, fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment;

* food, beverages and tobacco; and 

* textiles.

These groups accounted for 81% of the total value added for the whole manufacturing sector.

The survey was conducted from January to October this year.