TNAG-1610-FCO40-22132-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 64

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23.

we must not only follow

overseas markets. We must long-term competitiveness

Both these concerns lie

thinking on trade issues

All this means that

carefully developments in our also maintain and improve the of our major export industries. behind the Government's current and our strategy for industrial development.

(b)

Trade Furt

we

24.

So far as trade is concerned, the Government's main role is to do all they can to foster a free and open

trading system, and to ensure maximum access for our

manufacturers to overseas markets. These objectives the Government pursue, both through bilateral relations with governments in our major markets and multilaterally by taking part in international trade organisations,

particularly the GATT. Much valuable assistance in selling Hong Kong products is given by the Trade

their Development Council : I should like to pay tribute to

efforts.

25.

In looking at our recent excellent trading

results we must also be aware of the danger posed by

protectionist sentiment in the United States. Houses of Congress have produced versions of a Trade Bill

Both

/which