XN000022-1975-12-18 — Page 2

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1975

UNILATERAL RESTRAINTS ON GARMENT EXPORTS TO NORWAY ******

THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR. LAWRENCE MILLS, TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT HONG KONG WOULD UNILATERALLY INTRODUCE RESTRAINTS ON EXPORTS OF A NUMBER OF CARMENTS TO NORWAY WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT FOLLOWING A THIRD ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS WITH NORWEGIAN OFFICIALS WHICH WAS HELD IN OSLO FROM DECEMBER 8 TO 12, 1975.

IT BECAME CLEAR AT THESE CONSULTATIONS THAT NO FURTHER PROGRESS TOWARDS AGREEMENT COULD BE MADE FOR THE TIME BEING AND THE CONSULTATIONS WERE ADJOURNED IN ORDER THAT THE NORVÉGIAN AUTHORITIES MIGHT CONSIDER THEIR POSITION FURTHER.

IN ORDER TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO THE TRADE, AND AFTER CONSULTING THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO INTRODUCE THE UNILATERAL RESTRAINT ARRANGEMENTS AS AN INTERIM MEASURE UNTIL SUCH TIMES AS A MUTUALLY SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENT CAN BE FINALISED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NORWAY.

THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS INVOLVE THE CONTINUATION OF EXPORT RESTRAINT ON SIX OF THE CATEGORIES UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS COVERING SUCH ITEMS AS DRIEFS AND PANTIES, SHIRTS, BLOUSES AND TROUSERS. ADDITIONALLY,

ADDITIONALLY, HONG KONG WILL VOLUNTARILY RESTRAIN EXPORTS OF CERTAIN OTHER JACKETS, SWEATERS STOCKINGS AND SOCKS WHICH NORWAY WAS ABLE TO SHOW DURING THE CONSULTATIONS WERE CAUSING MARKET DISRUPTION.

THE PRESENT EXPORT REGISTRATION SCHEME WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1976 BUT MODIFIED TO INCLUDE THREE NEW ITEMS AND EXCLUDE SOME OF THE NEW ITEMS NOW BEING PLACED UNDER KESTRAINT.

DETAILS OF THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1976 TO DECEMBER 1976 ARE ANNOUNCED IN NOTICE TO EXPORTERS SERIES 3 NO. 30/75.

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