TNAG-1107-FCO40-1358-Inspection-of-the-British-Trade-Commission--Hong-Kong--in-Fe-1981 — Page 44

of reasons for any delay, by inadequate advertising

and by not supporting or cajoling their local agents.

(iv) local criticism of HMG's policy (MFA, British

Nationality Bill, Students fees).

5.(iii)

Britain's main competitiors in the Hong Kong market

Five countries enjoy a bigger share of the market than

Britain's 4.9%:-

Japan

China

USA

Taiwan

Singapore

23.0%

19.7%

11.8%

7.1%

6.6%

China and Taiwan (suppliers of food, low-cost textiles and

unsophisticated machinery) and Singapore (fuel) are not

competitors in the fields where Britain is most likely to increase

her exports, namely the more advanced machinery, transport

equipment, power generation equipment, telecommunications equipment,

scientific and measuring instrumentation, pumps and water and

sewage treatment plant. In such sectors the main competition comes,

and will continue to come, from Japan, the United States and Germany.

An indication of the performance of the main competitors

over the last 3 years is as follows:-

(i) Japan

Value (in HK$ million

Share

14,405

22.8%

19,320

22.5%

25,644

23.0%

1978

1979

1980

Principal sectors:

textile yarn/fabrics, photographic

and optical equipment, radio/TV equipment, transport,

electrical machinery, metals, chemicals, non-electrical

machinery, paper and paper-board.

(ii)China/.....