Arrangement (MFA).
an agreement
setting
Negotiations to extend the MFA began in Spring
1982, and
30 on
November 1982
yearly
quantitative restraints on Hong Kong exports to the EC was reached. This agreement expired on 31 July 1986, and following multilateral
negotiations
in
extending the
Whilst the new arrangement extends the coverage to materials which
were
previously
Geneva
arrangement
agreement
was
reached
on
1
for
a
further
period
August
of five
1986
years.
outside
ambit of the
the MFA,
Although, overall,
it
contains some
the Hong
that
its
extension
a will provide
period
of
improvements for exporting countries.
Kong Government regards the MFA as a protectionist instrument, they
have acknowledged
certainty for the territory's vital textile and garment trade.
b) Defence
4
1
6.3 Until 1980, the overall size of the garrison in Hong Kong was
(3 infantry battalions
Gurkha and British), Gurkha support units, 5 naval patrol craft and 2 squadrons of helicopters (1 RAF and 1 Army). In 1980 it was decided to increase the size of the garrison by 1 battalion against the background of a growing illegal raised Rifles Gurkha immigration specifically at that time as an addition to the garrison in order to perform a security role in the Territory until 1987.
6.4
In
threat.
2/7
were
therefore
recent years however the surge in illegal immigration has declined and growing confidence in Hong Kong following the signing of the Joint Declaration enabled the Ministry of Defence to announce in September 1985 that a reversion to pre-1980 force levels would then be in 1987, take place
and
Rifles would that 2/7 Gurkha disbanded. The UK continues to be responsible for the security of Hong Kong up to 1997 and the decision to disband 2/7 Gurkha Rifles has no implications for the long term future of the garrison up to
1997.
6.5
Under the current Kong Government and HMG,
Defence Costs Agreement between the Hong 75% of the costs of the garrison are paid is due to be for by the
The Agreement Hong Kong Government.
renegotiated in 1987.
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