XN000022-1977-06-24 — Page 16

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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

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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.

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"At the same time we do not overlook the equally essential

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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