TNAG-2743-FCO40-3958-Visits-by-Commonwealth-officials--ministers-and-public-figur-1993 — Page 150

CONFIDENTIAL

- 2 -

Nature of Links

機密

Branch/Agency

4. Civil Service

Branch

(a)

Civil Service

(b)

Branch and

Industry Department

5. Monetary

Affairs Branch

Remarks

Government officers have been nominated

to attend the Duke of Edinburgh's

Commonwealth Study Conference held every six years, including the latest one held in July 1992.

(a) Hong Kong will

automatically be

"disqualified" to participate after 1997.

Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC): a development fund established under the Commonwealth Secretariat in 1971 and is designed to meet the technical assistance needs of developing member countries (and quasi governmental bodies and NGOs) and is financed by voluntary contributions from all member

governments. HK has no official

representation at the Fund's meeting but makes yearly contribution.

Financial Secretary's attendance at the Annual Meeting of Commonwealth Financial Ministers.

(b)

Hong Kong's

contribution to the Fund is greater than the practical benefits (mainly in the form of education and training

fellowships) which accrue. Because of financial

consideration, we decided to cease receiving benefits from and paying contribution to the Fund from 1992/93 onwards.

Non-attendance would

suffice to stop the link.

GF 323

CONFIDENTIAL

機密

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