RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
FM DTI
TO IMMEDIATE BTC HONG KONG
TELNO INTRA 110
OF 22120OZ SEPTEMBER 93
AND TO ROUTINE PEKING, SHANGHAI
38
073155
MDHIAN 6293
Misi
Broglih
BTC file
a
HKA
120/1
23/9
2 SE, 1993
FROM GALLAHER, PEP/DTI
PEKING FOR KERFOOT
SUMMARY
SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO HONG KONG AND PUZHOU BY DTI AND MAJOR UK COMPANIES TO ASSESS VIABILITY OF AND PROSPECTS FOR INVOLVEMENT IN THE FUZHOU AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT. ATTRACTIVENESS OF PROJECT
HAMPERED BY POOR PHASING OF SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE. SUGGESTION OF SOFT FINANCE FOR AIRPORT RESISTED. POSITIVE INTERIM PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD BY UK. OTHER WORTHWHILE PROSPECTS IN FUZHOU IDENTIFIED.
DETAIL
2.
FOLLOWING A MEETING BETWEEN MINISTER FOR TRADE, RICHARD NEEDHAM, AND DR TAN TIONG HONG A HONG KONG BASED BANKER IN LATE JULY A GROUP OF UK COMPANIES WAS BROUGHT TOGETHER BY DTI WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MINISTER'S ADVISORY GROUP ON OVERSEAS AIRPORT PROJECTS. AT THE MINISTER'S SPECIFIC REQUEST GALLAHER OF DTI/PEP FORMED AND LED THE GROUP COMPRISING BLL, BOVIS CAA, SIEMENS PLESSEY AND WIMPEY.
3.
THE GROUP ATTENDED A MEETING WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF GUOCO INVESTMENTS (CHINA) LTD (GIC) AND DR TAN (MANAGING DIRECTOR) AT THEIR HONG KONG OFFICES ON MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER. MEETING WAS A PRESENTATION AND BRIEFING ON THE FUZHOU AIRPORT PROJECT. GIC HAVE A SPECIFIC INTEREST IN THE TERMINAL BUILDING AND HAVE BEEN HOPING TO ATTRACT BAA TO INVEST IN AND OPERATE THE TERMINAL RETAIL OPERATIONS. GIC APPEAR WELL CONNECTED IN FUZHOU AND WILLING TO INTRODUCE OTHER UK COMPANIES IN PURSUIT OF THE WIDER PROSPECTS IN THE PROJECT. BTC HK WERE REPRESENTED AT THIS MEETING.
4.
LATE PM 13/9 THE GROUP WITH DR TAN (BUT NOT BTC) FLEW TO FUZHOU. AFTER WORKING BREAKFAST WITH D/GOVERNOR OF FUJIAN PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIALS HE UK PARTY WAS TAKEN TO
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