The Hong Kong-listed tanner Hua Lien International (Holding) Co Ltd has reported profits of HK$52.5 million ($6.7 million) for the year 2000 - down 40.6 per cent year-on- year. The company attributes the decrease to the raw material supply shortage brought about by the European foot-and-mouth crisis.

Full-year operating revenues rose 8.4 per cent to HK$814.4m, of which 77 per cent was derived from the US market. A new kangaroo skin tannery in Xinhui, a city in Guangdong province, is to be completed in December 2001.