XN000022-1973-08-14 — Page 2

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Tuesday, August 14, 1973

H.K. TO PRESS FOR FAIR DEAL ON TEXTILES AND FOOTWEAR

The Hong Kong Government will continue to press for the removal

of the discrimination against Hong Kong's textiles and footwear exports

to the enlarged European Economic Community.

This assurance was given today by a spokesman for the Commerce

and Industry Department in connection with a petition sent to the Secretary

of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by local trade and industrial

associations.

Referring to the petition, which was forwarded through the Acting

Governor, the spokesman said: "It clearly shows the concern which is

being felt over the erosion of Hong Kong's competitive position in the

enlarged EEC as far as textiles and footwear are concerned. **

He said it was too early to forecast what decision might be

taken on the issue raised in the petition, but he emphasised that the

Hong Kong Government would continue to press for the discrimination against

Hong Kong to be lifted.

The United Kingdom, he noted, was the second largest market for

Hong Kong textiles, with last year's exports amounting to $1,457 million.

The United Kingdon was the largest market for Hong Kong footwear,

he added, and last year exports were valued at $121 million.

The value of exports of textiles and footwear to the nine EEC

countries was $2,970 million and $183 million respectively.

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