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"The objective of the ATC which came into force last year is to integrate trade in textiles into the full discipline of the GATT over a period of ten years starting from 1995. The Agreement was reached only after long and protracted negotiations among the parties involved," she said.
"It represents a commitment by the signatories to bring international textiles trade back into the fold of the GATT. It is therefore of the utmost importance that Hong Kong should guard its access rights to the Turkish market under the relevant GATT/WTO provisions vigorously,"
Other members of the Hong Kong delegation include the Assistant Director- General of Trade, Miss Emma Lau, and officers from the Trade Department and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in Geneva and Brussels.
Hong Kong was first approached by Turkey in mid-August last year on entering into an agreement regarding the establishment of quantitative restrictions on export of certain textiles and clothing products from Hong Kong as from January 1 this year.
According to the Turkish authorities, quantitative restrictions are necessary as Turkey has to align its textiles import regime with that of the European Union (EU) consequent upon the formation of the EU/Turkey Customs Union.
Hong Kong formally rejected the Turkish proposal in September last year as the proposal is unacceptable on grounds of principle. Instead, the Turkish authorities were urged to explore other alternative proposals which are consistent with the GATT and the ATC.
As from January 1 this year, Turkey has implemented quantitative restrictions on imports of textiles from 25 suppliers including Hong Kong, unilaterally and without prior notification to the affected parties concerned.
Hong Kong's domestic exports of textiles and clothing products to Turkey is very small and has been declining in recent years. The volume of exports dropped from $61 million in 1991 to $13 million and $12 million in 1994 and 1995 respectively, roughly equivalent to 0.01 percent of Hong Kong's total domestic exports of textiles and clothing products to the world in 1995. The major item of exports was cotton woven fabrics.
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