TNAG-0462-FCO40-527-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-EEC-Generalised-Scheme-of-Prefer-1974 — Page 31

ANNEX A

89

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cc Whitehall team,

BTC Hong Kong,

NOTE OF THE MEETING WITH HONG KONG OFFICIALS ON FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER 1973 AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY.

Present:

HONG KONG TEAM

D H Jordan

W Dorward

G Pears on

D Sellars

S T Kidd

BRITISH TEAM

GR Denman

PS Preston

Miss MJ Lackey

Miss L Lowne

Director of Commerce and Industry, Hong Kong

Department of Commerce and Industry

Hong Kong representative in UK

Delegation to GATT

Hong Kong Goverment Office, London

Hong Kong Commissioner (designate), Lond on

Dep Sec Dep Sec

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CT

J Ingram

A C Stuart

CRIL

HKIOD

FCO

Miss J Elliott

R Hope

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CT

Miss C H Welch

CRE2

G Bradshaw

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CRE2

J N Cohen

1.

GENERAL

Kr Jordan voiced the need felt in Hong Kong for a closer working relationship with Britain now that she was a member of the EEC; it was essential to try to avoid a conflict of interest in subjects in which Britain and Hong Kong would have to deal with others. Mr Preston agreed, saying however that rather than set up any new Hong Kong/UK structure he favoured informal talks when the need arose.

2. GATT MULTI-FIBRE AGREEMENT

Miss Lowne was not unhopeful that agreement in Geneva might be reached by the end of the year.

A Community position was slowly emerging which could satisfy all parties. However, the real fight would come later in interpreting the words of the agreement. Er Dorward emphasised the need to reach agreement within the Community since failure to do so would encourage the United States to delay committing themselves to negotiation. Discussion followed on the tactical alternatives that lay open to the British team in Geneva, and it was concluded that both Britain and Hong Kong were in broad agreement on the subject.

3. HONG KONG ERC RELATIONS

....

Mr Jordan announced that in order to strengthen its relations with the Community Hong Kong intended to establish contact with each member state. He would send Britain drafts of what Hong Kong proposed to say so that each communication coulâ be first agreed with HNG. The meeting was agreed on the value of Hong Kong seeking closer contact with each Community member, particularly by encouraging visits to the Territory. Miss Lackey added that it would also be worthwhile to get the other member states to look at Hong Kong in terms of a useful markot for Eat exports and investment.

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