§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to help UK companies enter the telecommunications market in China. [34743]
§ Mrs. RocheUK exports of telecommunications equipment to China in 1996 exceeded £40 million (Overseas Trade Statistics collected and compiled by HM Customs and Excise). Last year the Department was a sponsor of the Britain On-Line travelling exhibition which promoted UK telecommunications technology, products and services in China. In addition, a visit was organised under the Inward Missions Scheme which enabled Chinese industrialists and senior officials to meet UK communications companies. The Department, which has recently appointed an Export Promoter to promote opportunities in the Chinese telecommunications market, is supporting a mission to China later this year by UK companies. The mission is being organised by the China-Britain Trade Group. In the context of the negotiations over the terms of China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, the UK supports fully the strong line taken by the EU that there must be meaningful access granted to Chinese telecommunication services markets comparable to that granted by its economic peers among existing WTO Members.
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