TNAG-0584-FCO40-717-Trade-relations-between-UK-and-Hong-Kong-(other-than-EEC)-1976 — Page 68

Mr Willson WIAD (K 225)

Mr Pettitt PDTD (K 229)

Mr Trew Caribbean (K 362)

Mr Milton HKIOD (K 247)

Milyon

Mr Brown GGD (K 272)

Reference.....

Гари

Du

EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

1.

I attach a copy of a minute from Mr Hutson, COD to Mr Gordon, TRED from which it seems that Cable and Wireless have discovered a gap in EIS knowledge of export opportunities in the DTs.

2. I gather from Mr Willson WIAD that responsibility for reporting such. opportunities as arise in the territories for which his department is responsible,

They falls to the Commercial Sections of our High Commissions in the area. have commercial visiting programmes and report direct to EIS.

3.

Hong Kong, of course, is covered by our Trade Commissioner there and since Seychelles achieves independence shortly, it is unlikely that HKIOD will be involved in this examination.

4.

Caribbean Department are not aware of any formal arrangement by which opportunities in Bermuda are reported to EIS and, given the geographical position of the island, it is likely that US manufacturers can supply goods. and services more cheaply than UK ones and would therefore win on price factors alone.

5. In the Pacific Dependencies, most worthwhile export projects are created by aid money.

If it is from UK sources it would be tied to British companies but where a foreign source supplies the cash, as in the present Japanese aid to the Solomon Islands, the resulting business goes to the donor country.

6. I shall be grateful if you will respond to this minute by confirming or correcting my impressions with a direct minute to Mr Gordon TRED with a copy

to me.

CODE 18-7}

3 February 1976

Enc

Cc:

Mr Gordon TRED

Mr Hutson COD Mr Fearn STD

A

BE Pauncefort

Gibraltar and General Department K 274

8771