TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1978
MOVES TO RESUME TEXTILES TALKS WITH NORWAY
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A TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS REQUESTED CONSULTATIONS WITH NORWAY ON TEXTILES IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG.
HONG KONG, AND NORWAY LAST HELD CONSULTATIONS IN DECEMBER 1977 WHEN THE NORWEGIANS DEMANDED AN AVERAGE OF 40 PER CENT CUTBACKS IN TEXTILE QUOTAS. NO AGREEMENT WAS REACHED AT THE TIME AND HONG KONG OFFERED - TO ALLOW TIME FOR REFLECTION AND MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO TRADE TO UNILATERALLY LIMIT EXPORTS OF CERTAIN TEXTILE PRODUCTS TO NORWAY DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 1978. THE NORWEGIANS HOWEVER DECIDED TO INTRODUCE +TEMPORARY IMPORT RESTRICTIONS+ WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1978.
IT IS HOPED THAT RESUMPTION OF CONSULTATIONS WILL LEAD TO MUTUALLY AGREED ARRANGEMENTS ON THE EXPORT OF TEXTILES TO NORWAY.
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