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4.
Concerted efforts to improve the UK's performance in the Hong Kọng market are
being made by the Department of Trade, the British Trade Commission in Hong Kong
and the Hong Kong Trade Advisory Group (an area advisory group of the British
Overseas Trade Board). These were responsible for the staging in autumn 1972 of
a major British Industrial Exhibition in Hong Kong, and a successful British Motor
Show in February 1974. The number of sponsored missions has been increased (16
outward missions in 1973 and 18 planned for this year); and during their visits to
this country, contact has been set up with senior Hong Kong officials and
businessmen who will influence the placing of major future contracts (eg for the
rehousing of 12 million people; for pollution control; for medical supplies), It
is also proposed to hold a specialised exhibition in Hong Kong in the Spring of
1975, with the theme of 'Science, Education and Technology'. Because of this
increasing level of promotional activity and of the difficulties now being faced
by our competitors, these is a better chance of improving our share of the market
providing of course the economic climate in the UK permits this, and the upturn in
Hong Kong's economy - expected in 1975-materalises.
5. The improvement in the UK's export performance in 1973 does not however compare
with the sharp increase in UK imports from Hong Kong (up 43%). Clothing accounts
for half the increase; the trade in electrical appliances is also growing fast.
HMG has been under some pressure from certain British industries for protection
against imports from Hong Kong. For the most part these pressures have been
resisted. However in the textile field, the restrictions operated by the UK have
hitherto been confined to cotton yarn, woven cotton and polyester/cotton; and the
coverage may increase as the EEC Commission negotiates a new restraint arrangement
on behalf of the enlarged Community.
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