0003230 "G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong/Benelux Consultations on Umbrellas
First Session: 3.00 p.m. Tuesday, 11th July, 1967
Present :
Benelux Side :
Netherlands :
Belgium:
Mr. R. Verhagen, Director,
Bi-lateral Agreements Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Mr. J.F. Koops,
Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Mr. H. de Bruin,
Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Dr. M.J. Meijer,
Consul.
Mr. C. Raulier,
Acting Consul General for Belgium, Hong Kong.
Mme. M.J. de Clercq,
Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Hong Kong Side :
Mr. H.D. Miller
Mr. P.V. Dodge
Mr. J.H. Martin
Mrs. F. Hsiung
Mr. A.L. Purves
Mr. John C.C. Chan
Mr. Verhagen thanked Mr. Miller for giving the Benelux delegation an opportunity of discussing the problem of umbrella imports into their countries. Production in the Benelux had been suffering for some time as a result of increasing imports from low cost suppliers, particularly, Hong Kong. These imports had been at prices well below normal retail prices on the Benelux market. The Benelux Governments had been under pressure from the domestic manufacturers to hold consultations with Hong Kong to find ways and means of overcoming these difficulties.
2.
He stated that the problem of low-priced imports related not only to Hong Kong but also to Japan and to Mainland China. The Benelux authorities had been in contact with the Japanese authorities with a view to arranging a mutually satisfactory solution
CONFIDENTIAL
/regarding