XN000022-1981-01-22 — Page 20

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Gentlemen. I nccept that prospects for 1981 re hard to predict

—

moment, but let us renumber we face the second year of this decade

against a background of an unprecedented 5-year period of sustained growth.

If there is to be a period of hesitation we are well prepared for it and, in

any case, I do not think we face a prolonged or exceptionally difficult

We should remember our essets short-term future.

our enviable geographical

position, our political and fiscal stability, our budgetary strength the

excellence of our external communictions and harbour, our sophisticated

financial services, and the continuing ability of our industrialists to

move up market and of our workforce to keep pace with the more complex

work called for. The friendly support of the British Government and the

helpful attitude of the Chinese Government both give us confidence. In

this uncertain world few other governments could say as much about their

economy's recent record or possicilities for the future.

This encourages

dawns

me to hope that when on February 5 the Year of the Golden Cockerel

and the cockerel crows, it will be proclaiming that Hong Kong will find

satisfaction, if not feast in the year ahead.

J

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