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b. Richer Dependent Territories
Some Board members might argue that some of our dependent territories are too rich to be regarded as development member countries. In reply we could argue that neither the Convention nor the Operational Regulations lay down any criteria for defining a developing member country and point out that some existing developing member countries are quite rich eg Kuwait (GNP per capita of $14,270 in 1985) and Saudia Arabia (GNP per capita of $8,860 in 1985) (UK $8,390 in 1985) according to the 1987 World Bank Atlas. However, could Aid Policy Department advise us whether there any other general arguments which could be used to support the case for DMC status for our dependent territories?
C. Hong Kong United States
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Mr Faint thought that the United States Executive Director might oppose DMC status for Hong Kong because of American irritation about trade imbalances with Hong Kong as one of Asia's economics: A possible defensive danser would be to point out that other tigers are shown in the Convention as Category 2 countries (ie developing member countries). Korea and Singapore are examples. Korea is a member of MIGA and is a member of the Asian Constituency and the Executive Board whose Executive Director is an Indonesiar Singapore is not yet a member of MIGA. Since another Asian economic tiger drag. has DMC status, there is no good reason why the Board should discriminate against Hong Kong. Hong Kong Department, Aid Policy Department or Eastern Asia Department may be able to provide additional ammunition or arguments supporting the case for Hong Kong to be treated as a DMC. DTI or Hong Kong Department might advise on any other evidence of American antipathy to Hong Kong because of trade imbalances and how we deal with it. Subject
to the views of Hong Kong Department, I suggest that it would be desirable for our Executive Director to inform the Executive Director from PRC in advancve that we intend seeking DMC status for Hong Kong at the Board meeting on 7 September.
5. I would be grateful for advice by 5 August on the various points raised above. I am primarily looking to the geographical departments in the Diplomatic Wing although comments from others - either as specifically requested above or without any specific requests would also be welcome by that date.
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Gmill
W T Birrell
July 1988
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