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as Assistant Director of the Chamber. As the out-going Executive Director, Mr Bryan Barlow, is now overseas and will not return before the end of this month, this means that I am effectively already in the position of Executive Director.
As I have implied, the exact details of government's future financial support of the Council have yet to be agreed, but it seems likely that government will accept responsibility for liquidating the Council's present deficit and will provide a "once-off" lump sum to assist finance its operations in the future. This should be sufficient, given continued private sector support, ensure the continuity of the Council's work for the next three years, after which the position will be reviewed in the light of circumstances. It is our hope that at this stage, private sector support will be sufficient to guarantee the Council's viable existence.
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I am sure Mr Barlow would wish me to point out that these events have coincided with the successful completion of an extended contract of employment on his part, and that he will commence alternative employment in Hong Kong in October. We are all extremely grateful for the efforts he has put into the Council and he has our best wishes for the future.
In practical terms, these changes should not make any difference to our association with you, and I can promise that I shall do my best to see the excellent work done for trade facilitation in Hong Kong in recent years continues.
If there is any further information I can give you regarding the present status of the Council, I should be most pleased to answer your questions, and in the meantime I shall look forward to working with you for the future.
Yours sincerely
Hany
Harry Garlick
cc Chairman
Vice Chairman