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PARKER Pen Hong Kong plans to set up joint production ventures in China.

  But managing director Dominic Chan said Parker had not decided the form of co-operation or amount of investment.

  He said Parker would conduct consumer research on the mainland within two months to see if mainland customers could accept an international brand produced locally.

  ''We may also consider taking over a mainland manufacturing company and produce a brand other than Parker,'' said Mr Chan.

  Parker started its business in China in 1985 and now distributes in 20 provinces.

  Mr Chan said turnover had increased 50 per cent in China last year and by 35 times since Parker's launch on the mainland. It now took 20 to 30 per cent of the company's turnover in the China and Hong Kong market, he said.

  Mr Chan said Parker would put more effort into the Chinese market.

  ''The Hong Kong market has already been saturated and we expect not more than 15 per cent growth. But the Chinese market for high quality pens is expanding.

  ''Businessmen are more aware of the quality and status of their pen nowadays. We expect a sharp increase in the demand for high quality pens when cheques and credit cards get more popular on the mainland.''   Although only 10 per cent of the population could afford expensive writing instruments, that was a lot of people.

  However, he said Parker still had to deal with a lot of problems. For instance, the company estimated it would lose $20 million this year due to fake Parkers in China.

  The company had employed investigators to confiscate fakes being sold and was discussing prosecution of dishonest retailers with the Chinese authorities.

  Heavy duty on expensive pens was another problem, he said.

   ''Value-added tax is imposed on high quality pens, which are classified as luxury goods. Parker now has to pay more than 100 per cent tax on its exports to China.''   Parker has launched a commercial in Shanghai, showing late US President Dwight Eisenhower writing with a Parker. But the commercial was banned in Beijing for political reasons.



Parker Pen plans market survey for joint ventures