TNAG-1009-FCO40-1259-Appointments-of-senior-officials-in-Hong-Kong-and-Hong-Kong--1981 — Page 41

MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA)

Points to Make (if raised)

1. HMG conscious of importance of textiles for Hong Kong.

2. Problems of world trade in textiles very complex. In 1980

100,000 jobs lost in UK textile sector. According to forecasts

180,000 jobs could go in 1981.

3. MFA negotiations bound to be difficult. Need for all

parties to be realistic.

4. Aware of Hong Kong's open market. Sure this will be

taken into account.