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023624
MDLIAN 9242
POOR ENGLISH OF NEW RECRUITS IS A HEADACHE).
18. THE LATE SIR R FRANCIS, WHO BRIEFED ME WITH CLARITY AND ENTHUSIASM DURING MY TOW PRE-DEPARTURE VISITS TO LONDON, SAW THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COUNCIL'S ROLE IN THE REGION. THERE COULD BE NO BETTER TRIBUTE TO THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COUNCIL UNDER HIS DIRECTION THAN TO SET OFF CONFIDENTLY ALONG THE PATH HE INDICATED. THE PEOPLE AND SKILLS ARE THERE: WE SHOULD APPLY THE CONCEPTS, PLUS THE CO-OPERATION WITH THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE AND BUSINESS THAT HAS WORKED SO WELL ELSEWHERE.
BUSINESS LEADERS' FORUM
19. IN NOVEMBER HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES WILL VISIT HONG KONG TO
CHAIR MEETINGS OF THIS INTERNATIONAL GROUPING OF BUSINESS LEADERS. THERE CAN BE NO PLACE WHERE THERE IS MORE TO DO, NOR WHERE THE COMPANIES ARE MORE DECISIVE, WELL-INFORMED AND FAR- SIGHTED. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT FORUM FOR TRACKING THE LONG-TERM
INVESTMENT DECISIONS THESE INEVITABLY REFLECT JUDGEMENTS ON THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT AND WILL TO A LARGE EXTENT DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS THERE. THE COMPANY THAT THE FT
RECENTLY DUBBED THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN THE WORLD AT PREDICTING THE FUTURE - SHELL - COULD PLAY A LEADING PART.
THE NEW CONSULATE-GENERAL
20. THE PRINCIPAL ROLE MUST BE TO SUPPORT BRITISH BUSINESS INTERESTS ON POLICY, IN CONCERT WITH THE OTHER FREE MARKET ECONOMIES: AND IN RELATION TO INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTS, IN VIGOROUS COMPETITION WITH THEM. THE MAJOR COMPANIES HAVE IN PLACE THEIR POST-97 STRATEGY AND IN MOST CASES THEIR FUTURE CHIEF EXECUTIVES
ARE ALREADY IN THEIR CHAIRS.
21. THE CHALLENGE TO HMG IS TO PRODUCE A STRATEGY FOR OFFICIAL SUPPORT. THAT SHOULD, I SUGGEST, REST ON SEVEN PLANKS -
(A) A CLOSE, CONFIDENTIAL DIALOGUE WITH THE MAIN BRITISH
INTERESTS:
(B) MAXIMUM PRACTICAL SUPPORT TO TRADE MISSIONS, EXHIBITORS AT THE MANY HONG KONG FAIRS, AND THE P.B.I. OF THE SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED EXPORTER THIS BY MEANS OF A STRENGTHENED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
(C) PRIORITY TO INWARD INVESTMENT
OF MANAGEMENT:
-
DIRECTED AT THE TOP LEVEL
(D) RESOLUTION OF THE HONG KONG/CHINA DEMARCATION WHERE SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS IS CONCERNED:
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