2
In recent years, we have drawn up and progressively implemented long-term
plans for providing more and better housing, education, medical and health
services and social welfare services. The resurgence of economic growth has
onbled us to accelerate the introduction of these social services. Here I wish
to take housing as an example. We are at present already providing government
subsidised housing for over 46% of our 4-1/2 million population. This effort
will be continued and intensified. In the next four years our public housing
programme will be expanded to accommodate a further 800,000 people. in comparative
turms, this figure represents, 2-1/2 times of what we have been able to achieve
over the past four years from 1973. to 1977.
Because our economic growth 'depends so heavily on our export performance,
wo are interested in seeing the resumption of growth in world trade in 1976 sustained,
can further accelerate the implementation of our social development
programmes and steadily improve the standard of living of our people.
+
Cut the greath in world trade can be sustained only if the commitment on
the part of developed countries' to the progressive liberalisation of world trade
is honoured. Unfortunately there have recently been alarming indications that
some developed countries seem determined to go the other way.
0.
The tendency towards a return to protectionism became increasingly clear
towards the end of 1976, particularly in the field of textiles. Distinguished
Delegates will be too familiar with the action taken by 'one developed country
to impose global quotas, under Article XIX of the GATT, on a wide range of
textile and clothing Imports. This action resulted in imports being cut back.
to e far greater extent than would have been permissible under the MFA and
restrictions being placed on suppliers whose exports could not have been restrained
1
/if the