XN000022-1973-05-01 — Page 5

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Tuesday, May 1, 1973

HONG KONG AN IMPORTANT MARKET FOR BRITAIN

The visiting British Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs, Sir

Geoffrey Howe, today said he would direct British exporters "to pay very

special attention to Hong Kong."

鸭

At the same time, he assured local importers that he would report

to British industry every single complaint made to him during his visit here

about Britain's export performance in Hong Kong.

Sir Geoffrey gave the assurance in an address to the Foreign

Correspondents Club.

He said his visit was not simply to boost the quality of competitiveness

of British goods but "to listen as well."

There had been some anxiety about the failure of some British goods

to arrive on time, he said, and he was glad to have learned the explanation

of that anxiety.

However, complaints about Britain's exports, he said, should be kept

in perspective.

"I sometimes think that those of us who have lived and worked together

over many years as members of the same Commonwealth, occasionally tend to be

over critical of each other," he said.

He stressed that he was concerned to promote the esteem with which

British goods were regarded in this important market "for Britain does indeed

recognise Hong Kong as its shop window for Asia."

J

Sir Geoffrey