MACAO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Local manufacturers were cautiously optimistic about the export outlook of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) for the next six months, an industrial exports survey made in the third quarter showed on Wednesday.

Major export categories during the quarter included pharmaceutical products, electronic products and electrical appliances, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and garments, according to the Statistics and Census Service of the Macao SAR government.

The surveyed manufacturers reported an average of 2.7 months of orders on hand. The pharmaceutical products industry took the lead with 4.5 months of orders on hand, followed by the wearing apparel industry with 3.5 months and the electronics and electrical appliances industry with 2.5 months.

Regarding export prospects for the next six months, 55.2 percent of respondents expected no significant change, up 2.1 percentage points from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, 25.7 percent expressed optimism, and the share of those with a pessimistic view stood at 19.1 percent. ■