XN000022-1975-02-24 — Page 6

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1975.

H.K. DELEGATION LEFT FOR ESCAP PLENARY SESSION

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A DELEGATION, LED BY MR. T.K. ANN, EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, LEFT

· THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON FOR NEW DELHI TO REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE 31ST ANNUAL PLENARY SESSION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP).

ESCAP WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE FAR EAST (ECAFE). THE NAME WAS CHANGED LAST YEAR AND IS A MORE ACCURATE REFLECTION OF ITS CURRENT ROLE IN THE REGION.

THE PLENARY SESSION OPENS ON WEDNESDAY AND LASTS UNTIL FRIDAY, MARCH 7.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CUSTOMARY PROCEDURE IT WILL CONSIST OF A WIDE RANGING REVIEW OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND OF THE PROBLEMS FACING THE REGION.

THE PRINCIPAL AREAS OF CONCERN THIS YEAR ARE THE FOOD SHORTAGE WHICH CONFRONTS WIDE AREAS OF THE REGION, GROWING BALANCE OF PAYMENTS PROBLEMS AND INFLATION. THERE WILL, HOWEVER, ALSO BE CONSIDERATION OF TRADING AND ECONOMIC MATTERS OF DIRECT CONCERN TO HONG KONG.

MR. ANN, AS LEADER, WILL ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE LATER IN THE WEEK. THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ARE MR. JIMMY MCGREGON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND MR. P.E. JOHNSON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ECONOMIC SERVICES, WHO WILL ACT AS SECRETARY TO THE DELEGATION.

MR. ANN AND MR. MCGREGOR ARE SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SUNDAY, MARCH 2, AND THEIR PLACE FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF THE CONFERENCE WILL BE TAKEN BY MR. D.J.C. JONES, SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES.

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