XN000022-1976-01-14 — Page 2

Wednesday, January 14, 1976

RISING EXPORTS AND SOLID GROWTH FORECAST

The Governor, Sir Murray laclehose, said today that Hong

Kong could now look forward to a period of expanding exports and

solid growth provided "we hold our competitive edge and our ability to

attract custom",

He was speaking at a ceremony at Government House in which he

presented the Governor's Award for Hong Kong Design. The competition was

organised by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries.

Referring to the economic difficulty experienced last year,

the Governor said: "We are sill some way short of complete recovery,

and we may not be looking for a return of boom conditions, but obviously

the worst of the recession is behind us.

Sir Hurray expressed the hope that Hong Kong's next period of

growth would see a greater diversification of the industries on which Hong

Kong depended.

The Government, he added, would play its part in this with

regard to land policy, provision of industrial estates, promotion of foreign

investment, and the raid expansion of technical education.

The Governor said it was clear that the production of consumer

goods would remain Hong Kong's chief source of income for the foreseeable

future and that the prosperity of this industry would depend to a largu

extent on a continual upgrading of quality and design.

Note to Editors:

The full text of the Governor's spouch is contained in a

supplement to today's Daily Information Bulletin.

TIT

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