6
-
an amazing degree of ignorance among British industrialists as to
the opportunities Hong Kong offers. On the other side of the coin
there is no doubt a fair degree of ignorance at the Hong Kong end
too of what Britain can make available, although that is probably
partly our fault. At any rate we intend to try and correct that
state of affairs in a number of ways. The most spectacular is a
-
major exhibition of machinery and technology which the British
Overseas Trade Board plans to mount in Hong Kong in early 1978
I
and I am glad to say that the response to this plan so far has been
most encouraging. If it is at all possible I hope to get to see
this exhibition myself.
"But there are other areas ton where we see great scope for
increased business. For instance only last month several important
missions from Hong Kong were received in London: from the Hong Kong
General Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and
from a representative group of industrial buyers. All three missions
have resulted in substantial orders being placed and we look forward
to further visits of this kind they will always be more than welcome.
-
"At the same time we do not overlook the equally essential
-
—
perhaps even more essential need to encourage British manufacturers
to visit the Colony, to see for themselves how well things are going
there and to get a peal of the market. This year our board will be
supporting some 200 British businessmen on visits to Hong Kong, as
members of trade missions covering a vast range of products from
heavy industrial equipment to many kinds of consumer items.
"In all this work of encouragement and promotion the British
Overseas Trade Board gets valuable help from several bodies, notably
/from our