CONFIDENTIAL
4.
(b)
(c)
there was also a strong commercial case. The United Kingdom share of the large Hong Kong market had dropped to 8%. A number of large government contracts were in the offing and competition between United Kingdom and Japanese manufacturers was strong. It was thought that the climate of feeling towards Britain could be a significant factor in tipping the balance; and
on development grounds the field selected for this
aid technical education was regarded as being a vital key to the future of a territory whose development depended on technology for the manufacture of goods for export.
It is estimated that disbursement of these grants will begin in the latter part of 1975/76.
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office
27 November 1974
CONFIDENTIAL