TNAG-0534-FCO40-629-UK-aid-to-Hong-Kong-Polytechnic-and-technical-institutions-1975 — Page 128

Ministerial level and it has been agreed that this should be in the form

of a technical assistance grant fully tied to British goods. Since we do

not yet have precise lists of equipment and books and since we do not

know the timing of the various request from Hong Kong, it is not possible

to forecast with any accuracy the amount to be disbursed annually. Other

factors which make such a forecast virtually impossible are uncertain

delivery dates and delivery delays. However, it is anticipated that the grant will begin to disburse in 1975/76 and be fully disbursed by late 1978 or early 1979. Provision has been made in the aid framework.

VII.

27.

RECOMMENDATION

The Hong Kong Government have indicated that the implementation

of these proposals will achieve the most effective use of the grant by

co-ordinating the provision of books and equipment with their anticipated

neeesin relation to the development of the Polytechnic. We in turn feel

that assistance in this form is vital to the future of a country whose development depends almost entirely on technology for the manufacture of goods for export. We are satisfied with the proposed ratio of expenditure between books and equipment and have no reason to doubt the ability of the Hong Kong authorities to select the most appropriate books and equipment as development

of the Polytechnic proceeds.

28.

It is lessere mequested at the Projects Committee recommend & the

Frecommend that the project as proposed, should be approved:-

ministo affroal of this project.

PL

O'Keeffe

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department