TNAG-0044-FCO40-80-Exports-to-the-Benelux-countries-aide-memoires-1967 — Page 151

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of the investigations to be carried out by the Hong Kong Government.

27.

Mr. Miller confirmed that further investigations would continue in Hong Kong and that the results would be forwarded to the Benelux authorities. He then spoke briefly on the meeting of the Hong Kong Certification Co-ordinating Committee held on 13th July, 1967 at which it was decided that all the organisations at present designated by the Hong Kong Government as competent to issue certificates of origin under Article 11 of the International Convention for the Simplification of Customs Formalities, 1923 would adopt the Hong Kong Government origin criteria for the issue of certificates of origin in respect of umbrellas. He asked Mr. Verhagen to take note of the strenuous efforts made by the department to bring the certification systems of all the designated bodies fully into line with that of the Hong Kong Government. New legislation would shortly be introduced to give effect to this and he hoped that, when the Benelux Governments considered the certification question, they would bear this in mind, although it was the prerogative of the Benelux Governments to stipulate that only Hong Kong Government certificates of origin were acceptable. He undertook to send to the Benelux authorities details of the other certificate issuing organisations and the measures taken to align the systems through the Hong Kong Government's Brussels Office as soon as possible.

28.

In conclusion, Mr. Miller asked for more information regarding the position of other, particularly low cost, suppliers to the Benelux market. This would be one of the factors the Hong Kong Government would wish to hear more about when the Benelux authorities requested a resumption of these discussions.

Distribution

Colonial Secretariat (3)

British Embassy, Brussels (2) British Embassy, The Hague (2)

Brussels Office (2)

Geneva Office (1)

Washington Office (1)

London Office (3) (including (2) for Commonwealth Office)

D.

(1)

D.D.C.R.(1)

A.T. (1)

A.R. (1)

Textiles Division (10)

Briefing files (2)

C.R.

spare (10)

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