This year's manufacturing output has been very positive, with sustainedquarter-on-quarter growth across all facilities. Average increases were 7.34 per cent and some plants, such as the semi-conductor unit in Shantou, increased their figures by a considerablemargin of 17.8 per cent. We expect the trend to continue well into the 3rd quarter of the financial year 2003-2004, despite a slowdown in the telecoms market and continuing global economic conditions.
Sales:
To some extent, the very positive trends in our manufacturing output are a direct response to steady increases in our orders. The regional sales teams have made considerable progress in bringing new clients on board and new sales have grown by a comfortable 2.7 per cent for the financial year 2002-2003. In addition, a focus on customer care and resales has allowed our sales to jump by an additional 14.23 per cent. Expectations for next year are very positive and we will experience sustained and stable growth.