TNAG-2967-FCO40-4246-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-inclusion-of--1993 — Page 25

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OTE OF A MEETING WITH BRIGADIER CHRISTOPHER HAMMERBECK, BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG, WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 1993

CCT 1993

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Brigadier Christopher Hammerbeck, who is taking over as Executive Director, British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong in January 1994, called on Alan Murray and me on Wednesday 22 September. The purpose of his call was to introduce himself to us and to find out our thinking and outline his own on the future of the Chamber.

Role of the British Chamber

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We outlined to Brigadier Hammerbeck the organisation of the DTI on the exports side, the role of Export Promoters and Area Advisory Groups and the links we had with Posts and other representative bodies overseas. We emphasised that we hoped to see a strong proactive Chamber which could act as an authoritative voice for Britain in Hong Kong. Brigadier Hammerbeck said that he saw his role as follows:

(a)

(b)

To make the Chamber more efficient administratively

To tie the Chamber in more with the CBTG/Association of British companies in China.

(c) To communicate effectively with industry in the UK

(d) To act as an authoritative voice on behalf of the

Chamber in talks with Hong Kong Government etc.

Generally he was keen that the Chamber should play a more active role than hitherto, eg in visits by Government Ministers, public relations, China-related matters etc. advised him to keep closely in touch with BTC.

We

Brigadier Hammerbeck said that the Chamber's plans for next year included a major seminar in the UK. Generally he would be encouraging Chamber members to be prepared to speak at events in the UK. One of his first priorities would be to organise the preparation of suitable briefing packs, both for members' use and for visitors.

BCG Building

Brigadier Hammerbeck raised the subject of the rent for their proposed accommodation in the new BCG building. We explained that this was primarily a matter for the FCO rather than ourselves and we were unable to give him an up-to-date report. Brigadier Hammerbeck took the opportunity of outlining the Chamber's position. He said while the Chamber were perfectly happy to pay towards the development costs of BCG and the running of the building, they would not want to pay the market

If rate given that the land had been given free of charge. FCO charged the market rate, the Chamber would seriously consider not moving in. A further factor the Chamber had to consider was that if there was a difficult transition period there was a danger that they could be too closely identified