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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1992
HK AN IDEAL BASE TO GRASP BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
IN THE REGION: GOVERNOR
LEADING
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOLD UK BUSINESSMEN IN LONDON THAT THERE ARE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRITISH BUSINESS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AND HONG KONG IS THE BEST BASE FROM WHICH TO GRASP THEM,
THE GOVERNOR, WHO IS LEADING A HIGH LEVEL HONG KONG DELEGATION TO ADDRESS A BUSINESS CONFERENCE ABOUT THE STRATEGIC ROLE HONG KONG PLAYED IN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, SAID THE TERRITORY OFFERED A GREAT MANY ADVANTAGES TO BRITISH BUSINESS.
IT INCLUDED ENGLISH AS THE COMMERCIAL LANGUAGE, AND A SYSTEM OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND LAW WHICH WERE FAMILIAR IN UK AND WHICH WOULD CONTINUE AFTER 1997.
SIR DAVID ASSURED THE AUDIENCE THAT THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THE CHANGE IN SOVEREIGNTY SHOULD WEAKEN HONG KONG'S TRADING POSITION.
"AFTER 1997 HONG KONG WILL REMAIN AS AUTONOMOUS IN LOOKING AFTER ITS TRADING INTERESTS AS IT IS NOW. IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE ITS OWN FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC VALUE TO CHINA WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW AND THE INDUSTRIAL TRANSFORMATION OF CHINA'S COASTAL PROVINCES WOULD INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR HONG KONG'S CAPITAL, SERVICES AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS.
"THE ECONOMIC MOMENTUM CREATED BY COOPERATION BETWEEN BUSINESSMEN IN HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA WILL GO A LONG WAY TO CARRY US THROUGH THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT BRITISH BUSINESS ALREADY HAD A LARGE AND GROWING PRESENCE IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT BRITAIN'S TRADE AND SERVICE EXPORTS TO HONG KONG WERE WORTH WELL OVER 2 BILLION POUNDS A YEAR AND HONG KONG WAS BRITAIN'S SECOND LARGEST MARKET IN THE ASIA- PACIFIC REGION AFTER JAPAN.
"THERE ARE OVER 470 BRITISH FIRMS IN HONG KONG, AND A FURTHER 1,000 WHICH HAVE SIGNIFICANT BRITISH INVESTMENT OR MANAGEMENT.
"BRITISH BILLION POUNDS
―
FIRMS HAVE INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG WORTH ABOUT 20
HE ADDED. BRITAIN'S LARGEST INVESTMENT IN ASIA,
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG BEING A GOOD PLACE FOR BRITISH BUSINESS WAS ALSO HIGHLY COMPETITIVE.
то
"THOSE WHO SUCCEED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE THE WILL AND THE ABILITY PUT THEMSELVES UP AGAINST THE REST OF THE WORLD AND COME OUT ON
TOP.
"THERE ARE MANY BRITISH FIRMS WHO HAVE SHOWN THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY COMPETITIVE EDGE TO ACHIEVE THIS,' HE SAID.
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/SIR DAVID