IMPORTED FROM SINGAPORE FOR RE-PROCESSING?
PRESUMABLY THE GREY
CLOTH WOULD BE SUBJECT TO TARIFF UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
1 SHOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO ASSURE THE SINGAPOREANS THAT AS DRAWBACK WILL BE ALLOWED TARIFF SHOULD NOT HAMPER THIS PARTICULAR
TRADE,
3. EARLIER INFORMAL SOUNDINGS IN BUSINESS CIRCLES TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 714 TO NEW DELHI INDICATED
GENERALLY THAT PROVIDED THAT TARIFF WAS A MODEST ONE LOCAL
INDUSTRY MIGHT BE ABLE TO COMPETE BUT AS INSTRUCTED WE DID NOT CANVAS OFFICIAL RE-ACTIONS. DESPITE THIS ITS POSSIBLE THAT SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT WILL WISH TO EXTRACT SOME COMPENSATING
ADVANTAGE ON THE GROUNDS OF THEIR SPECIAL POSITION, IN THIS
CONTEXT IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR ANNOUNCEMENT WILL COME SO CLOSE TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE DUNCAN REPORT WHICH IS BEING REGARDED
HERE AS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF SLACKENING OF OUR INTERST IN SINGAPORE AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES GENERALLY.
HICKMAN
SENT 0537/21Z JUL
RCVD #649/21Z JUL