TNAG-0938-FCO40-1157-Visit-of-John-Nott--Secretary-of-State-for-Trade--to-Hong-Ko-1980 — Page 23

BRIEF 2

AGENDA NOTE FOR MEETING AT 14.30 HRS ON 4 SEPTEMBER AT DEPARTMENT OF TRADE INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS WITH ADVISORY BOARDS

1 Normal practice is not to have a formal agenda for ministerial meetings with advisory boards. These meetings are closed door affairs with non-official members of the boards (ie distinguished people from commercial sector) who are privy to confidential trade information and can be trusted to be discreet.

2 Mr Dorward as Chairman will introduce those present and invite

the Minister to make a few opening remarks. Then the meeting will take the form of a free exchange of questions and comments ranging over matters of mutual interest. It is possible to predict, however,

the main issues. These are likely to be:

3

Britain's trade performance in Hong Kong

a)

Recent history of bilateral textile affairs

b)

c) Future of the MFA

d) UK dimension in EEC/Hong Kong Relations.

Britain's trade performance. (See Brief 4.)

POINTS TO MAKE

1 Britains decline as a supplier to Hong Kong is not surprising given the industrial expansion in neighbouring countries such as Japan and Korea. There are clear signs, however, that this contraction has eased and has been reversed (UK share now expanding).

2

It is now uneconomic to supply some commodities from the UK.

3

UK's investment record has been poor and may account for poor trade record (in part). Abolition of exchange controls is intended to assist outward investment.

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