TNAG-0044-FCO40-80-Exports-to-the-Benelux-countries-aide-memoires-1967 — Page 61

CONFIDENTIAL

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10.

While there may be some transhipments of umbrellas consigned from other countries through Hong Kong, the Department are unable to substantiate this possibility from available information. In any event, no re-exports of umbrellas to the Benelux have been recorded in Hong Kong trade statistics.

11.

These then are the results of the investigations carried out in Hong Kong. In general, they appear to indicate that the main part of Hong Kong's umbrella exports to the Benelux consist of children's and toy umbrellas. You mentioned during the July consultations that Benelux production is geared to the adult sector of the market, particularly ladies' and teenagers' fashions. In these circumstances, the information the Commerce and Industry Department have been able to provide should go some way towards allaying the fears of the Benelux industry regarding exports from Hong Kong.

(Yours sincerely),

n.0.0.

Mr. M.P. Preston, Commonwealth Office.

Deputy Economic Secretary, Colonial Secretariat, Hong Kong.

J.H. Martin.

CONFIDENTIAL