0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
Enclosure
(Dear Mr. Verhagen),
Exports of Hong Kong Umbrellas
to the Benelux Countries
I am writing to forward the results of investigations carried out by the Hong Kong Department of Commerce and Industry into the composition and origin of Hong Kong umbrellas exported to the Benelux. You will recall that Mr. Miller undertook to send you this information during the consultations held at Hong Kong in mid-July this year.
2.
34.
To begin with, I should, perhaps, reiterate Mr. Miller's comments regarding the classifications for umbrellas in the Hong Kong trade statistics.
3.
Exports of umbrellas can be classified under one of two item numbers. The first of these is 899 410 which is described simply as "umbrellas and sunshades", and the second is 894 237 "toys, not elsewhere specified, not containing electric motors". The bulk of exports fall into the first category.
4.
To obtain a more detailed understanding of exports to the Benelux, the Department examined all export declarations (the documents from which trade statistics are compiled) lodged
As these declarations between 1st July 1966 and 30th June 1967.
are retained, for only twelve months, the Department were unable to analyse exports for the calendar year 1966 and thus to produce statistics directly comparable with those you submitted in July.
Volume of Trade
5.
Of
During the period analysed, a total of 120 export declarations from forty-two companies were lodged with the Department covering exports of umbrellas to the Benelux. these, seventy-two were in item 899 410 (umbrellas and sunshades) and forty-eight in item 894 237 (toys). Recorded exports to the Benelux were
-
Item
Quantity (Doz.)
Value
(HK$)
899 410
27,516
ex-894 237
8,290
988,417 151,416
35,806
1,139,833
་
Mr. R. Verhagen,
Ministry of Economic Affairs, ·
The Hague,
Netherlands.
/Composition
CONFIDENTIAL
22/E.