of reasons for any delay, by inadequate advertising
and by not supporting or cajoling their local agents.
(iv) local criticism of HMG's policy (MFA, British
Nationality Bill, Students fees).
5.(iii)
Britain's main competitiors in the Hong Kong market
Five countries enjoy a bigger share of the market than
Britain's 4.9%:-
Japan
China
USA
Taiwan
Singapore
23.0%
19.7%
11.8%
7.1%
6.6%
China and Taiwan (suppliers of food, low-cost textiles and
unsophisticated machinery) and Singapore (fuel) are not
competitors in the fields where Britain is most likely to increase
her exports, namely the more advanced machinery, transport
equipment, power generation equipment, telecommunications equipment,
scientific and measuring instrumentation, pumps and water and
sewage treatment plant. In such sectors the main competition comes,
and will continue to come, from Japan, the United States and Germany.
An indication of the performance of the main competitors
over the last 3 years is as follows:-
(i) Japan
Value (in HK$ million
Share
14,405
22.8%
19,320
22.5%
25,644
23.0%
1978
1979
1980
Principal sectors:
textile yarn/fabrics, photographic
and optical equipment, radio/TV equipment, transport,
electrical machinery, metals, chemicals, non-electrical
machinery, paper and paper-board.
(ii)China/.....