Suggested replies to possible questions on Hong Kong
1.
Q.
A.
Should BOTB spend more on the promotion of exports to Hong Kong?
BOTB spending in relation to Hong Kong is not pre-determined but responsive to demand from exporters. No fewer than 13 outward missions are already planned for Hong Kong in 1983, involving companies from all over Britain.
BOTB financial support for outward missions and seminars in Hong Kong in 1981/82 was £172,000.
Comparing Hong Kong with Japan is not very instructive. Japan is a much bigger market than Hong Kong, and presents particular difficulties.
Background Note
Expenditure on the British Export Marketing Centre in Tokyo in 1981/82 is shownin the BOTB annual report as £800,000. There is nothing comparable in Hong Kong but exporters to Hong Kong have access to the full range of other BOTB services. Japan is a much bigger market and a much bigger importer than Hong Kong. Japanese imports in 1981 were US $143 billion, Hong Kong's were some US $30 billion.
2.
A.
Should more emphasis be given to non-project business?
We are, with the help of the Hong Kong Trade Advisory Group, actively encouraging non-project exports. But we should also recognise the enormous contribution major projects business has made to the level of UK exports in recent years.
For example, the value of the Castle Peak 'A' Power Station
and transmission network contract was £500 million at present