PERMANENT SINGAPORE TRADE MISSION IN CHINA (Establishment)

Mr Seah Peng Chuan asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether the Government is prepared to take immediate steps to bring about the establishment of a permanent Singapore Trade Mission in China.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: Sir, the Trade Advisory Council on which are represented the various Chambers of Commerce, manufacturers, banking, rubber and overseas Chinese import/export interests are unanimous in advising me that they do not consider it necessary or advantageous at present to establish a trade mission in China. Since it is the Chinese People's Government's express policy to trade on a basis of bilateral agreements thus purchasing direct from producing countries rather than through an entrepot and since we have no products of our own in which we could expand our sales to China, Government considers that no useful economic purpose would be served by the establishment of a trade mission in China at present.