On the road to becoming
a large maritime power
α
HONGKONG
STANDARD
HKK 21/2
30 1073
BRITAIN AGREES TO
x
HK REGISTRY
by
Tony Bugay
BRITAIN and Hongkong have agreed in principle to establish an autonomous ship- ping registry in the Colony.
An agreement to this effect was reached during talks at official levels between the
Hongkong the
and
Marine Department Department of Trade and Industry in London.
Mr Allan Fletcher, Director of Marine, told the Standard last night in an exclusive interview: "It has been agreed in principle that the registry will be established."
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Mr Pricher arrived back on Sunday night after "very successful" discussions with D senior officials on the issue of an, independent slupping, reMİSLY thus paving the way for the Colony to become one of the world's largest maritime powers.
Mr 'Fletcher told the Standard that indications are very lavourable that Hongkong will get its own registry but "there is still a lot of water to go under the bridge before we can categorically say 'yes or no'.'
He added: "In principle, an agreement has been reached." He also indicated that Britain was in favour of the proposed registry which would give Hongkong the sixth largest merchant fleet in the world and the second biggest in the Far Fast after Japan.
**Obviously, the UK authorities are very concerned with details," Mr Fletcher remarked, "and that is why a top level team has come out here to get themselves involved and assess the situation."
DISCUSSIONS
The four British marine experts arrived on October 17 to work alongside Marine Department officials On arrangements for the setting up of the registry. "I haven't met the members of the team yet as I have just arrived back,” said Mr Fletcher, "but I will definitely meet them shortly for discussions.**
He remarked: "In the end, it would depend very much on what the DTI team discover. We are where we are now to the extent that we've got this team out from Britain.....and I understand that everybody is quite happy that it would be a good thing for a registry to be set up.
Turn to Page 16
FLETCHER.....not final yet