XN000022-1983-02-20 — Page 2

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1983

REVIEW OF TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM

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THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT A THIRD REVIEW OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM IS NOW COMMENCING.

+THE INITIAL WORK WILL BE DONE BY A REVIEW COMMITTEE SET UP SPECIFICALLY FOR THE TASK.

+CHAIRED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BRANCH, IT COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENTS.

IT WILL REPORT ITS FINDINGS TO THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD WHICH WILL HAVE THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADVISING GOVERNMENT ON WHETHER CHANGES ARE NECESSARY, MR MACLEOD SAID.

THE PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW IS TO CONSIDER WHETHER CHANGES ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MEET HONG KONG'S TWIN OBJECTIVES OF DISCHARGING FULLY ITS OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM BILATERAL AGREEMENTS AND THE MFA; AND FOR THE SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR OPTIMUM UTILISATION OF RESTRAINT LIMITS AGREED WITH IMPORTING COUNTRIES.

THE REVIEW WOULD ALSO HAVE REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE EFFICIENT AND FAIR THAT IT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE CHANGING PATTERN OF TRADE; AND THAT ANY MODIFICATIONS MADE SHOULD NOT REDUCE THE OVERALL EFFICIENCY OF THE SYSTEM.

+THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES TO FORWARD THE IR VIEWS ON THE OPERATION OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM AND SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGES FOR CONSIDERATION.

+THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SEND IN THE IR VIEWS AND COMMENTS TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT BEFORE MARCH 31,+ MR MACLEOD ADDED.

THE REVIEW IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

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