HKK 121/10
RECEIVED IN RESISTRY NO. 51
13 APR 1981
DEK OFFICER
APS/MNCXlaker FA
REGISTRY
Action Taken Mr Searle, HKGD
Ah 13/10
UK TRADE WITH HONG KONG
1.
Thank
PA
you for these statistics which the Minister used in
an b MP's letter.
letter. KJM 8/4
You asked for details of UK trade with Hong Kong. visible trade for the period 1977-80 are as follows:-
a) UK exports to Hong Kong (£ million)
Figures for
1977
271.5m
1978
362.4m
1979
442.2m
1980
559.4m
The 1980
Hong Kong is the UK's second largest export market in Asia. figure represents 4.9% of Hong Kong's total imports. The UK is Hong Kong's sixth largest supplier.
b) UK imports from Hong Kong (£ million)
1977
454.5m
1978
531.4m
1979
690.7m
1980
850.3m
The UK is Hong Kong's third most important export market.
c) Visible trade deficit (£ million)
1977
183m
1978
169m
1979
248.5m
1980
290.9m
10
2. The last available figures for invisible trade are for 1977 and are partly based on estimates. There was a private sector surplus on invisibles of £156 million and a deficit on official transactions of £55 million; a balance of £101 million.
3.
Figures for trade in textiles and clothing for 1980 are as follows:
UK imports from Hong Kong
UK exports to Hong Kong
£370 million
£ 27 million
31 March 1981
Martin A Searle
M A Searle
Hong Kong & General Department