Exhibit 5

                GLOBAL-TECH APPLIANCES ANNOUNCES THE LICENSING OF
                 LUXELL'S PROPRIETARY BLACK LAYER(R) TECHNOLOGY

Hong Kong, October 18, 2002 -- Global-Tech Appliances Inc. (NYSE: GAI) today
announced that its subsidiary, Lite Array, Inc., has acquired a license from
Luxell Technologies Inc. of Toronto, Ontario, Canada to incorporate its
proprietary Black Layer(R) technology in the production of solid-state
flat-panel displays, such as organic light emitting diode, or OLED, displays.

John C.K. Sham, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "We believe that
the Black Layer(R) is an essential technology for producing Lite-Array's OLED
displays with superior contrast, making the displays easier to read.
Additionally, the technology should further accelerate and support our recent
announcement to concentrate Lite Array's R&D efforts on OLED and our plans to
set up a pilot production line for developing and producing OLED displays."

Mr. Sham continued, "The alliance with Luxell and the integration of its
proprietary Black Layer(R) should provide us with superior technological support
and a continuing partnership that we need in pursing our flat-panel display
programs."

Jimin Ma, President of Lite Array, added, "We are very impressed with the
performance of Luxell's Black Layer(R). The integration of the Black Layer(R)
technology into our products will provide us with important performance
advantages and supports our goal to achieve low-cost leadership. We look forward
to working with the Luxell team on future R&D, sales and marketing and OEM
supply initiatives."

About Global-Tech Appliances

Global-Tech is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of a wide range of small
household appliances in four primary product categories: kitchen appliances;
garment care products; travel products and accessories; and floor care products.
The Company's products are marketed by its customers under brand names such as
Black & Decker(R), DeLonghi(R), Dirt Devil(R), Eureka(R), Hamilton Beach(R),
Krups(R), Morphy Richards(R), Mr. Coffee(R), Proctor-Silex(R), Sunbeam(R), and
West Bend(R).

About Luxell Technologies

Luxell Technologies is a leading designer, manufacturer and licensor of
flat-panel display technologies and solutions for consumer electronics, defense
and aerospace industries. The Company's strategy is focused on licensing
agreements, strategic partnering with original equipment manufacturers that
supply flat-panel displays to mass consumer markets and direct sales of its high
performance display solutions.

Except for historical information, certain statements contained herein are
forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates,"
or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify
such forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the impact of competitive
products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product
development, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability and cost of raw
materials, the timely and proper execution of certain business plans, including
the plan to diversify and transform a portion of manufacturing capacity to
higher-value, technology-oriented products, currency fluctuations, uncertainties
associated with investments, the regulatory environment, fluctuations in
operating results

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and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission including its most recent Report on Form
20-F.

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