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6.
The UK's share of total external manufacturing investment in Hong Kong is 7% (far less than that of Japan and the USA, which together account for 75%).
7.
Hong Kong's economy is very buoyant. GDP growth in 1986 was 9%, and the forecast for 1987 is 8-9%. In 1986 Hong Kong's total
exports grew by 18% and imports by 19%.
8.
A British Chamber of Commerce has recently been formed in Hong Kong. It was officially launched by The Governor.
9.
British commercial representation in Hong Kong is through the British Trade Commission (BTC) (Senior Trade Commissioner: Mr Reginald Holloway). The primary role of the BTC is to promote UK exports and to provide assistance to British businessmen both generally and at a "product" level. The BTC acts in conjunction
· with the UK Department of Trade and Industry (whose export arm is the British Overseas Trade Board (BOTB)), and together they provide the full range of BOTB services for exporters.
10.
The BOTB has an area advisory group advising on export strategy for the Hong Kong market: The Hong Kong Trade Advisory Group. Its Chairman is Mr George Govan (who until recently was Managing Director of Babcock Contractors Ltd; he is now an independent consultant on international project business).
11.
Under BOTB schemes 25 outward trade missions will visit Hong Kong in 1987; there will be 6 joint ventures at international exhibitions, and one promotion of British consumer goods at Matsuzakaya, a Japanese department store in the territory, in October/November.
12. Lantau Island/Western Harbour Development Gordon Wu of Hopewell Holdings is promoting this project which would provide new airport and port facilities for Hong Kong as well as connecting roads to South China at an estimated cost of £2-3bn. Decisions on whether the project goes ahead rest with the Hong Kong Government although Mr Wu is keen to press on as quickly as possible. Mr Wu has said that he wants the maximum possible British
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