TNAG-2623-FCO40-3814-Visits-by-Alastair-Goodlad--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-an-1992 — Page 11

RESTRICTED

VISIT BY MR GOODLAD TO INDONESIA, 12 15 OCTOBER 1992

Background

1. Indonesia is not one of Hong Kong's principal trading partners. But they do have a fairly large Consulate General

there dealing with economic, cultural and immigration

matters.

2.

Confidence in Hong Kong has recovered significantly since the events of June 1989 in Tiananmen Square. Applications in

1992 from Hong Kong people seeking to emigrate were significantly down for the first time since 1989.

3.

Economic growth in 1991 was about 4% and is projected to

be 5% in 1992. Inflation is currently running at about 10%

down from 12% in 1991. Efforts by the Hong Kong Government to combat it seem to be working. Total exports in 1991 increased

by 20% over previous year, imports by 21%, and re-exports

increased dramatically by 27%. There was a small trade

deficit of HK$ 1.68bn.

back.glad.Ind.BTC

RESTRICTED

JEB