TNAG-0337-FCO40-373-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster--Sir-Geoff-1972 — Page 47

CONFIDENTIAL

4. The Hong Kong Government have invited contractors on a

world wide basis to indicate by mid-October their technical

ability to carry out the project, their estimate of cost and

their proposals for financing the project.

5. A British consortium of firms interested in the proposal

was formed in 1971. It includes major manufacturers and civil

engineering contractors, and major banking interests capable of

organising finance. The consortium is represented in Hong Kong

by Hutchinson International Ltd (Chairman, Sir Douglas Clague).

The main competition is expected to come from a Japanese ! consortium represented in Hong Kong by Jardine Matheson.

6. Proposals to help the UK consortium to secure the contract

are now being worked out by the ECGD and the DTI. The intention

is to submit a paper to Ministers before the end of September.

Hong Kong and Indian Ocean Department

August 1972

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CONFIDENTIAL