TNAG-2967-FCO40-4246-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-inclusion-of--1993 — Page 78

27-MAY-1993 16:35

BRITISH TRADE COMM

P.01

13

FAX TRANSMISSION

27 May 1993

Ms Deborah Barnes-Jones

.HKD, FCO

Fax no 71 270 3387

Page 1 of

4

Dear Devine,

Mr. Man's

British

Mrs Barnes Jones c/ Trade Commission

We have alrendy

in

prepared briefing This for

Mr. Goodled Wooden 27/5...

REC

Hong Kong

9th Floor, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong

Mail Address: GPO Box No 528, Hong Kong

Telephone: 523 0176

Telex: HX 73081 (a/b 73081 UKTRÁ HX)

Tucsimile: (959)

Cable Address:

RAK 9870

TRAME.

HILD 406/13

2 7 MAY 1993

INL

BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Mr

In my telno Intra 77, I réported on this week's meeting of the General Committee of the British Chamber and I mentioned that Mr Chiu, the present Chairman, hoped to see Mr Goodlad briefly on Chamber matters while the Minister is here next week. Chiu has now drafted letters (copies enclosed) to send to Mr Needham and Mr Goodlad (he proposes to send his letter to MFT to the DTI later this week and to give his letter to Mr Goodl ad pozconally when he meets the Minister at my lunch on Tuesday next week).

You will know from earlier exchanges that we think it would make sense for the British Chamber of Commerce to be collocated

It with the commercial department in the Consulate-General. would tend to prevent duplication of effort and be helpful to visiting businessmen. You may also be aware that Mr Heseltine will shortly be calling for detailed strategy papers from all BOTB priority markets (and Hong Kong is one such) which I understand will probably highlight the need for a greater degree of co-operation and coordination betweent the various bodics and organisations engaged in export promotion work. Culluuation with the British Chamber of Commerce would sit' comfortably with that proposal.

A strong British Chamber of Commerce should be immensely useful to British industry and complement the BOTH's efforts in Hong Kony. It might also become a case study for the DTT to explore the possibility of privatising some of the export promotion services this office provides at present. The British Chamber of Commerce is at a crucial juncture and now would be the time to give it encouragement and more support. An indirect financial contribution towards their running costs, would be particularly helpful and that might be done by providing accommodation in the new Consulate-General building at a nominal rent. There are, I accept, wider issues to be taken into account, but this is a unique cituation, deserving of special consideration.

Eunsur affant le made të aneina past the information given herein is accurate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors, omissions or misleading statements in that information caused by negligence or otherwise and no responsibility is accepted in regard to the standing of any firms, companies or

individuals mentioned.