TNAG-0133-FCO40-169-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 62

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FOR PRESS

Embargo: Not to be published, broadcast

⚫r televised before 6.30 p.m. Wednesday 11th December, 1968.

NEW TARIFF PREFERENCES FOR IMPORTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (Statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade

and Industry, The Rt. Hon. J. McEwen

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. J. McEwen, today announced that further items were being added to the Australian system of tariff preferences for developing countries.

This system was first introduced in 1966 after the agreement of the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) had been obtained. Under it, many products from developing countries are granted a special preferential rate of duty, the primary objective being to help new industries in those countries to compete with exports from the more industrialised countries.

With these new preferences, there were now a reason- able number of items of manufactures and semi-manufactures, limited by quotas, which could enter the Australian market at preferential rates if imported from developing countries. То this must be added a range of traditional handicraft items which are admitted duty free under the system.

Mr. McEwen commented that the Australian initiative in this particular field had been favourably received by the developing countries, and he was confident that they would appreciate the value of the additional concessions. These would take effect in the New Year, subject to international consult- ations which Australia might be requested to undertake with its GATT partners.

Details of the new preferences will be available shortly from the Department of Trade and Industry in Canberra or from all offices of the Department of Customs and Excise.

Canberra.

11th December, 1968

92/68T