THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 1984
3
ANNOUNCING THE SETTING UP OF THE SERVICE, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE MAIN INTENTIONS OF THE SCHEME WERE TO PROVIDE A READY CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION FOR THE TRADE, AND TO GATHER DETAILED INFORMATION CONCERNING PROBLEMS FACING HONG KONG IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A FULL PICTURE WHICH WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE UNITED STATES. HE ENCOURAGED ALL PARTIES AFFECTED TO MAKE THEIR CONCERNS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THAT SINCE MANY PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATIONS REMAINED UNCLEAR IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO GIVE IMMEDIATE ANSWERS TO A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: +WE ARE INTERESTED IN ANY PROBLEMS THE TRADE MAY BE EXPERIENCING OR EXPECTING, SUCH AS CONTRACT PROBLEMS, WORRIES ABOUT THE DETAILED PROVISIONS OF THE NEW REGULATIONS, ETC.
+THIS DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS IN ANY WAY THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATIONS WHATSOEVER.+
+ IT IS SIMPLY A PRUDENT STEP TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE FULLY AWARE OF PROBLEMS WHICH MAY ARISE OR WHICH MAY ALREADY HAVE TAKEN PLACE, SUCH AS LOSS OF ORDERS, CANCELLATION OF CONTRACTS AND SO ON,+ HE SAID.
IN THE MAEANTIME HE CONFIRMED THAT CERTIFICATES OF HONG KONG ORIGIN WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ISSUED IN THE NORMAL WAY.
INFORMAL GROUP ISSUES STATEMENT IN GENEVA *****
HONG KONG HAS JOINED WITH OTHER DEVELOPING EXPORTERS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING IN GENEVA IN ISSUING THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CONCERNING RECENT TEXTILE EVENTS IN THE UNITED STATES: +THE INFORMAL GROUP OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAMME OF CO-OPERATION AMONG DEVELOPING EXPORTERS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING MET IN GENEVA ON 7 AND 8 AUGUST TO REVIEW RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN RESPECT OF TWO SETS OF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES CURRENTLY CONTEMPLATED IN THE UNITED STATES:
COUNTERVAILING DUTY PETITIONS AGAINST TEXTILES AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS FROM DEVELOPING EXPORTERS; AND
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN REGULATIONS.
+THE GROUP CONDEMNED THESE MEASURES AS DISCRIMINATORY AND DESIGNED TO HARASS AND RESTRAIN LEGITIMATE TRADE FOR DOMESTIC POLITICAL REASONS.
/+THE GROUP