0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
13
-
Fourth Session (Statistical Sub-Committee)
3 p.m., 23rd April 1960
Towels
56.
Mr. Strandberg began by quoting the figures from Other Made-up Cotton Articles Table 2. He stressed declining production and increasing imports, especially imports from Hong Kong and Yugoslavia.
57.
Mr. Jordan wondered if the decline in production and increase in imports were in fact comparable since towel production statistics used pieces as the unit, whereas import statistics used tons, and there was no conversion factor. He also asked what types of towels were covered by Swedish statistics since towels could be divided into terry towels and non terry towels, including narrow flat woven towels. Baron de Geer replied that Sweden did not differentiate between terry towels and non terry towels in their statistics. Mr. Jordan stated that in that case the Swedish authorities did not know which types of towels manufactured in Sweden were suffering because of imports. Mr. Strandberg said that some factories in Sweden manufactured both types of towels, and Baron de Geer mentioned that although it was not possible to differentiate between the production of different types of towels from the Swedish statistics, Swedish production of towels decreased from 2,840 in 1967 to 2,565 in 1968, a reduction of approximately 10% while total imports increased by approximately 16%. He claimed that those percentages demonstrated the impact of imports on production. He added that imports of towels from Yugoslavia had been restricted and he did not feel that it was fair not to limit Hong Kong imports as well.
58.
Mr. Ho stated that during January and February 1969, Swedish imports of towels from Italy amounted to 52 tons which was nearly equal to total imports from Italy in 1968. Mr. Jordan remarked that imports from Hong Kong decreased from 60 tons in January and February 1968 to 46 tons during the same period in 1969, while total Swedish imports were 294 and 297 tons respectively. Furthermore, Swedish exports of towels had actually increased in 1968.
59.
Baron de Geer stated that Hong Kong was the largest exporter of towels to Sweden and Yugoslavia the second largest supplier had already agreed to restrain its exports. Mr. Jordan stated that as no one supplier dominated the Swedish market, even if imports from Hong Kong and Yugoslavia were restrained it would not benefit Swedish industry since there were other prominent suppliers such as Italy and Belgium who were also selling at lower prices and would fill any gap left by restraints on Hong Kong. Baron de Geer said he took the point about possible newcomers, but there remained the fact of the large increases of imports from Hong Kong, and he felt that the only other solution was to introduce a global quota for all countries, as it was not practicable for Sweden to negotiate individual restraint agreements with a large number of countries.
NON-COTTON GARMENTS
Undergarments (of continuous synthetic or artificial fibres) women's and girls' wear
60.
Mr. Strandberg began by referring to the figures in Non- Cotton Garments Table 1. He added that imports from Hong Kong of both nylon and rayon underwear had increased further:
/Synthetic fibres
....
CONFIDENTIAL
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