HONG KONG-BASED houseware manufacturers and exporters are bullish about the export prospects for this year.
Coming off a slowdown in 2003, Hong Kong exported household goods worth US$22.2 billion last year, which represented formidable growth of 12 per cent.
The United States accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the sector's exports. The second most important market is mainland China.
Last year was 'fantastic', according to Aric Chang, sales and marketing manager at Inhesion Industrial. He said sales at the maker of porcelain, ceramic and bone china tableware had grown by 15 per cent.
Judging by the sales performance in first quarter of this year, Mr Chang expected figures for the year to rise another 10 per cent to 15 per cent.
'Business is running very well. The soft US dollar is helping us because Europe is our most important market,' Mr Chang said.
Two other factors have been contributing to the growth in houseware exports. The lifting of quotas on key product categories at the start of this year is resulting in an expansion of sales to Europe.
