TNAG-1632-FCO40-2248-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-1987 — Page 181

imports by 19%.

8 A British Chamber of Commerce has recently been formed in Hong Kong.

was officially launched by The Governor.

It

9 British commercial representation in Hong Kong is through the British Trade

Commission (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 Department of Trade and Industry (whose export arm is the British

Overseas Trade Board (BOTB), and together 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

participation and the DTI is encouraging the large number of interested companies

to act in collaboration. The Japanese, undoubtedly, are interested and will

benefit if UK companies fail to respond effectively.

13 Mr Pattie, as Minister of State for Industry and Information Technology,

999-80