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CONFIDENTIAL
British firms maintain their commercial position there in the face of increasing Japanese competition which is assisted by massive Japanese aid. For similar reasons we should like to see the level of technical assistance to Singapore maintained and, if possible, expanded when the Special Aid programme is phased out.
South Korea
8. We should like to see an increase in the level of our
technical assistance to South Korea.
This is a fast-growing market
and we believe increased technical assistance could help us secure valuable commercial advantage there.
Hong Kong
9. When the Secretary of State visited Hong Kong earlier this year, he undertook to consider the provision of capital aid for the colony. In the judgment of the Governor and the Colonial Secretariat, this has become even more important since that visit we have taken a number of decisions which have adversely affected Hong Kong's trade. It is also relevant that there are some large infra-structure projects which the Hong Kong Government intend to launch in the near future. Of course, we want to get a fair share of these contracts. But we also wish to demonstrate in concrete
form the value we continue to attach to our general relationship with this very special colony by undertaking some eye-catching development projects there. I understand that our Hong Kong Department will shortly be in touch with your Finance Department about two projects advocated by the Hong Kong Secretariat. very much hope you will give these projects a favourable reception.
Latin America
We
10. We are concerned by the slowness with which our capital aid programme to Latin America has been developing. The allocations of aid for that continent are, in our view, about right, but we have not managed to spend them. It seems that a greater effort
CONFIDENTIAL
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