TNAG-1054-FCO40-1304-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-UK-1981 — Page 157

HKK 121/10

RECEIVED IN RESISTRY NO. 51

13 APR 1981

DEK OFFICER

APS/MNCXlaker FA

REGISTRY

Action Taken Mr Searle, HKGD

Ah 13/10

UK TRADE WITH HONG KONG

1.

Thank

PA

you for these statistics which the Minister used in

an b MP's letter.

letter. KJM 8/4

You asked for details of UK trade with Hong Kong. visible trade for the period 1977-80 are as follows:-

a) UK exports to Hong Kong (£ million)

Figures for

1977

271.5m

1978

362.4m

1979

442.2m

1980

559.4m

The 1980

Hong Kong is the UK's second largest export market in Asia. figure represents 4.9% of Hong Kong's total imports. The UK is Hong Kong's sixth largest supplier.

b) UK imports from Hong Kong (£ million)

1977

454.5m

1978

531.4m

1979

690.7m

1980

850.3m

The UK is Hong Kong's third most important export market.

c) Visible trade deficit (£ million)

1977

183m

1978

169m

1979

248.5m

1980

290.9m

10

2. The last available figures for invisible trade are for 1977 and are partly based on estimates. There was a private sector surplus on invisibles of £156 million and a deficit on official transactions of £55 million; a balance of £101 million.

3.

Figures for trade in textiles and clothing for 1980 are as follows:

UK imports from Hong Kong

UK exports to Hong Kong

£370 million

£ 27 million

31 March 1981

Martin A Searle

M A Searle

Hong Kong & General Department