AIDE
MEMOIRE
14/6/11
(1) The Benelux countries, acting in common in virtue
of the Treaty establishing the Benelux Economic Union,
have to call attention to the continuous considerable
increase of imports from the British Crown Colony of
Hong Kong into the Benelux countries of nightwear for men and women, handkerchiefs, table- bed- and household linen of cotton, falling within the Benelux statistical
numbers 61.03.70, 61.04.50, 61.05.90, 62.02.03, 62.02.05, 62.02.25 and 62.02.20, especially during the year 1966. The Governments of the Benelux countries are gravely
concerned at the serious effect of the increasing imports which are giving cause to market disruption to the detriment of their textile industry which is experiencing major difficulties and is faced with unemployment.
(2) The development of the imports of the above
mentioned goods from Hong Kong into the Benelux appears from data annexed to the present note.
(3) The considerable increase of the imports at issue
can be explained by the fact that the prices for the Hong Kong products are between 30% to 40% below the prices prevailing on the Benelux market for similar products of comparable quality.
(4) In accordance with the procedure provided for in the long term arrangement regarding international trade in cotton
textiles of 1 October, 1962, the Governments of the Benelux
countries have the honour to request the Government of the Crown Colony of Hong Kong to engage in consultations under article III of the above arrangement, to reach agreement concerning the products mentioned under (1) above, at the earliest possible moment.