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do not have immigration facilities on board because they are registered in Hong Kong and therefore do not fly the Portuguese flag, which would qualify them for such an office. Assumpção was confident that his consortium would be allowed to fly the Portuguese flag. This may be an indication of the extent to which they have the blessing of the Macau government.
2. Assumpçao recently visited London and during his stay, by arrangement of the Department of Trade, with whom we have heen in communication on this matter, visited the British Hovercraft Corporation on the Isle of Wight and Hovermarine Transport Ltd in Southampton. On his return to Macau I saw Assumpçao who told me that he had been very impressed by the 240 seater hovercraft produced by Hovermarine. The consortium have not fully made up their minds as to whether to buy this type of hovercraft, and Assumpçao said that they were also considering buying from Mitsui in Japan who apparently operate under licence to the British Hovercraft Corporation and who have 150 berth hovercrafts for sale right away. The consortium could lease these while their own are being manufactured.
3. This saga offers clear export possibilities for UK. At present Assumpçao tells me that 4 hovercraft are needed but clearly if they are to go in to full-time operation and to be able to compete with the powerful STDM then they will need many more than the original four. It appears that under the present political situation in Macau they could succeed. You may there- fore wish, in conjunction with the DOT, to encourage Hovermarine to pull out all the stops for what would look like a big order.
Yours fre
пиле
PR Reeve
I. Vice Consul Macau
cc: R Westbrook Esq, British Embassy, Lisbon.
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