TNAG-0037-FCO40-73-Effort-to-improve-relations-with-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 61

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C.D. & W. Funds over the next few years for this purpose. It is too early to say what the prospects are of obtaining an allocation for Hong Kong.

C.

Royal Visit for opening of Plover Cove in September/October 1968

It

This was discussed on the 11th October in the Royal Visits Committee. Wo understand from Sir Savillo Garner that objections were raised to the sugrostion that the Duke of Edinburgh should visit Hong Kong for this purposo both on the grounds that this would be very difficult to fit into his present programme and on the grounds that he was too near to the Throne. was considered that it would be better for another member of the Royal Family to undertake this duty, but it was folt that a decision must be postponed for a four months to see how conditions in, and relations with, China progressed.

Support for Hong Kong's Export Credit Insurance Corporation

D.

Hong Kong's Export Credit Indusrance Corporation was set up at the end of 1966 and performs largely the same functions as the United Kingdom's Export Crodit Guarantee Corporation. The danger of such bodies accepting over-risky

business is much reduced if they have adequate and up-to-date reports on the

economic situation in various countrics and their work is much facilitated if

they are kept informed of foreign import and oxport control regulations.

E.C.G.D. have access to such material which is suppliod by British Missions abroad, but the Hong Kong Corporation do not, except in respect of the fow

countries in which they have their own trade representatives.

It has not boon possible to arrange for the Hong Kong Corporation to be given copies of reports, etc., sont by our posts to London. The reasons given are that posts are too busy to be charged with yet another duty, that if Hong Kong is supplied, then other Commonwealth countries might be prompted to seek similar facilities, that material in the reports is often confidential and sources would dry up if it bocamo know that Hong Kong was in on the net, and also that Hong Kong is sometimes in competition with the United Kingdom who

must thoroforo koop sono cards close to its chest. In the view of this

Department none of those arguments are conclusive and the value of assistance

to Hong Kong excoods tho extra work and thought required.

At its mooting on 22nd September the Ministerial Committeo on Hong Kong

agreed that Hong Kong's requirements should be determined and investigation

made as to how far it was practicablo and desirable for H.M.G. to moet thom;

tho Minister should discuss the proposal further during his visit.

In August tho Financial Secretary wrote to say that Hong Kong's inmediato

requirements woro:-

(a) copies of the reports on import and export control

roculations of other countries which it is believed are

sont to .C.G.D. in London as a matter of routine;

(b) copios of the periodical Economic Reports which overseas

posts proparod and sont to departments in London.

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/The Mihistor