TNAG-1842-FCO40-2617-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 110

MARAAV (1)

K.

BRITISH REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG

HMG SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO PROMOTE BRITISH ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL

INTERESTS UP TO AND AFTER 1997

Our decision to upgrade post of Senior British Trade Commissioner widely welcomed in territory.

Now planning for well located and prominent Consulate-General

after 1997.

But in final analysis, British export success in Hong Kong, as in other markets, depends on quality of our exporters, not on level of official or government sponsored representation.

BRITAIN'S EXPORT PERFORMANCE

Should not underestimate our success.

Kong doing well.

British exports to Hong

Britain's visible exports to Hong Kong worth over £l billion in 1988. Invisible exports estimated to amount to a further £1

billion.

In 1988 Hong Kong was our nineteenth largest export market, second largest in Far East after Japan.

Significant that although British exports direct to China have stagnated (down 10%), our exports to China via Hong Kong show substantial increase (up 30%).

SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER SHOULD HAVE WIDER REMIT

British Trade Commission's objectives are to promote British exports to Hong Kong. Correct that this should be so. Wrong to broaden his remit in any way which could convey the impression of second, alternative source of British authority within Hong Kong.