TNAG-0148-FCO40-184-Consular-endorsements-of-certificates-of-origin-for-Italy-1969 — Page 27

the charging of fees for endorsement of certificates of

origin for imports into Italy from Hong Kong, which are not

required on similar imports from other contracting parties

to the GATT, acts as a discriminatory impost on Hong Kong

exports, and an impost which is made more onerous when the

charges are levied on a sliding scale.

7. In the light of the above and, as the Hong Kong

Government believe that their arrangements to certify the

origin of Hong Kong products provide fully adequate safe-

guards against the possibility of imports from other

countries entering Italy as of Hong Kong origin, the Hong

Kong Government would ask the Ministry of Foreign Trade to

dispense with the requirement for consular endorsements on

certificates of origin issued in Hong Kong. They would also

wish, in this connection, to refer to the discussion of this

matter at the meeting of the GATT Committee on Trade in

Industrial Products in Geneva on 19th 26th March, 1969,

when a similar request to the above was made by the United

Kingdom representative and the Italian representative

replied that he would report the discussion to his

authorities.

8. Her Majesty's Embassy avail themselves of this

opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Trade the

assurance of their highest consideration.