RESTRICTED
COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC WORK (Contà)
excessive burden confronting them. The ratio of CAs to teeth officers is unusually high. On the other hand, we concluded, particularly in view of the increase in work load on the Trade Commission as a whole, that it would be wrong at this stage to contemplate any cut. Our successors will however no doubt wish to examine the number of CAs with particular care.
·
11. We consider the work of the 3 Shorthand-Typists working on the commercial side and of the 2 girls assigned to Registry in Sections 11 and 9 respectively (Secretarial and Registries). It may be worth mentioning here that the Typists seem moderately well occupied and there is anyway insufficient slack for a cut. Registry is admirably run by Mrs Lai.
CHINA TRADE SECTION
12. A China Trade Section consisting of a DS 5, Mr Reeve, and S2 Secretary exists with the object of promoting Sino-British trade. Though it operates with a measure of independence from the Commercial Department, liaison between the 2 sections is close. The section keeps abreast of China trade developments and obtains information from our Embassy in Peking, direct from the Department of Trade and from newspapers published in Hong Kong. In the course of his commercial activities, Mr Reeve has visited Peking and the Canton Fair. The section is able to give valuable advice and help to British businessmen wishing to explore the prospects of exporting to China. We believe the section to be properly staffed and to be following the correct procedures.
OTHER TERRITORIES
13. Macao Although the Senior Trade Commissioner has been designated IM Consul for Macao, the small market offered pales into insignificance beside the opportunities in Hong Kong. About 75% of Macao's business is handled through Hong Kong and in the past year not a single British visitor has asked for advice on the Portuguese colony. Nevertheless regular visits are paid by senior UK-based staff in their consular capacity and one or 2 possible export opportunities have been reported to London.
14. In 1977 Macao's total foreign trade was:
Imports: Patacas 1060 million £115 million Exports:
1222 million
£132 million)
of which UK
Imports:
Exports:
10.8 million (0.96%) (£1.2 million) 76.0 million (6.22%) (£8.2 million
6.22%)(£8.2
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7
/15.