First of all manufacturing and hi-tech are two different measures, the latter has a narrower scope.
For hi-tech exports data from
World Bank, definition: High-technology exports are
products with high R&D intensity, such as in aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and electrical machinery. Source:
United Nations, Comtrade database.
About Niger
It's not surprising to see as high as 52% of their manufactured exports was classified as hi-tech by World Bank, though value was only $48.6 million. Apparently World Bank and UN have classified uranium, noting significant amount of R&D intensity required in its production from ore as well as its handling due to radioactive nature, as a hi-tech exports.
Niger is the world's fourth-ranking producer of uranium. Major investors in Niger uranium industry includes Areva NC of France, Overseas Uranium Resources Development Company of Japan, China National Nuclear Corp (China Nuclear International Uranium Corporation, or "Sino-U"), Korea Resources Corp (KORES), etc. Though these companies invest, operate and export the uranium products from Niger, World Bank does not account these hi-tech exports under China, France or Japan.
Trial operation began at Azelik on 10 December 2010, with the first barrel of yellowcake being produced on 30 December, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has announced. The mine is the first of CNNC's overseas interests to enter production, under the control of its subsidiary China Nuclear International Uranium Corporation (Sino-U).
Testing will continue at Azelik with a view to reaching full capacity (700 tU/year) as soon as possible, according to CNNC. SinoU has previously said that it hopes to raise production at Azelik, which has reported resources of 13,000 tU at 0.2%, to 2500 t/yr by 2015 and double that by 2020 (5000 t/yr).
Azelik is owned by Societe des Mines d'Azelik SA (SOMINA), a joint venture established in 2007 in which the government of Niger has a 33% interest and Sino-U holds 37.2%. The remainder of the company is owned by Chinese investment management company ZXJOY Invest, and China-based private mining and investment firm Trendfield Holdings.