CODE 18-77
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference
Background
4
We have heard that the Hong Kong Government decided on 5 May to award the Tsing Ma Bridge contract to the Anglo Japanese Consortium of which the main parties are Trafalgar House, Costain and Mitsui. The Hong Kong Government will tell the short-listed consortia of the award on 7 May, after which a public announcement will be made. The Prime Minister has expressed a keen interest in writing to congratulate the three British principals as soon as the award becomes publicly known.
5 The successful consortium's bid was not the cheapest: Hyundai undercut it considerably, but appears not to have met the Hong Kong Government's financial requirements. On the other hand it is not surprising that companies of the size and experience of Trafalgar House and Costain, should be in the successful consortium with the giant Mitsui Group. They have both extensive experience of operating in Hong Kong and China, and worldwide expertise in bridge. building. Further background is attached at 'A'.
6 We shall be giving News Branch a separate press line, broadly to welcome the consortium's success but to avoid triumphalism and any attempts by the press to draw us into a discussion of the respective merits of the bids and bidders.
@Room
C W ROBBINS
ENC
HKG