13.
Because I am in
in London I have taken some time in
speaking about
about the British connection, and I have spoken
frankly, some may say bluntly, about business attitudes. I
have done so because I want you to share with me this idea
Of Hong Kong as a place of opportunities. I f those
opportunities are to be fully enjoyed it will be necessary
to work on them. That applies to those of us in Hong Kong
! just as much as to any potential overseas investors,
whether they come from the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
!
14.
I should now like to describe how Hong Kong's
economy has developed over the last twenty or thirty years,
and in so doing, hopefully, give you some feel for the
opportunities that today exist in the territory.
}
15.
Over
As you know, Hong Kong, has changed dramatically
from being what some
some people unkindly described as a sleepy
entrepôt to
to one of the world's most significant producers
of light manufactured goods. This transformation and
development led to considerable material well-being.
the last ten years or so, Hong Kong has emerged as опе of
the most important commercial service centres of South East
Asia. Services now account for about 75% of our Gross
Domestic Product and re-exports are larget in value than
total domestic exports.
Whilst recently we have seen some
/serious