9.
}
the market warrants this and the use of agents is unsatisfactory.
13.
►
The Trade Commission has to deal circumspectly with the
relationship between principal and agent. It will pass on complaints
from a customer on a confidential and non-attributable basis and give
its opinion of an agent, in confidence, if asked it. Its main function,
however, is to find new agents on request. The market is already
saturated. Suitable new energetic firms are hard to come by. Again,
help from the D C & I, the TDC or the Chamber of Commerce on firms
that come to their attention would be invaluable, more particularly as
the harsh economic climate at home forces British firms to improve
their export performance.
Trade Promotion
14.
Hong Kong has to be fitted in to the financial resources
available to the British Overseas Trade Board for exhibitions and
other promotion work around the world.
Both the BOTB's staff and
financial resources have been cut as part of the reduction in
Government expenditure, but approval has been given for a major
industrial exhibition in March, 1978.
15.
Previous exhibitions have included an industrial exhibition
in 1972, a motor show in 1974, a stores promotion in 1975 and a
further industrial exhibition in 1975. Consideration is being given
to a food exhibition in 1977. Japan excepted, Hong Kong must have
had more than its fair share of promotional effort in this part of
the world.
16.
In the Commission's experience, exhibitions are worthwhile;
S
/put.... f,..
Page 30Page 31