TNAG-1482-FCO40-2036-Economic-and-commercial-value-of-Hong-Kong-to-the-UK-1986 — Page 55

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4.

We reaffirmed this position in mid-1985 following

the publication by the IDB

by the IDB for Northern Ireland of their

medium-term strategy document on inward investment which

gave some prominence to Hong Kong as a lucrative source of

such investment. The IDB now propose to use a public

relations company to promote investment and other

commercial opportunities in Hong Kong.

cannot be expected to adhere to the

and acceptable to the HKG. In our

encouraged to use instead the low-key services of BTC Hong Kong.

B 5.

C

Such a company

low profile agreed with

view the IDB should be

equally proficient but

I have explained our concerns in a letter to the

Invest in Britain Bureau of

of the DTI. They replied that, although they understand

our policy on inward investment and would like to see the IDB toe the line, they regard the IDB as a strongly independent body and under no obligation

to DTI. They have therefore suggested that we might ask

our Ministers to draw the matter to the attention of

This seems at this stage to be

officials at

Ministers at the NIO.

seem to be a logical next

unnecessary escalation.

Contact with NIO

Under-Secretary

level would

step.

17 July 1986

Colten

CO Hum

Hong Kong Department

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