CONFIDENTIAL
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64.
After Mr. Strandberg had presented the figures in Non-Cotton Garments Table 2(i), Mr. Jordan stated that he did not consider that those statistics were very helpful in supporting the Swedish case for restraint. There had been a decline in production, imports, exports and supply. Imports decreased even more than production. He suggested that it would be better to consider individual items more closely because of the difference between wool and synthetic garments. Baron de Geer felt that the group should be considered as a whole: although total Swedish imports decreased by 16%, production decreased by 35%, and imports from Hong Kong increased by 25% during the past year. Mr. Jordan replied that before Sweden could establish that imports from Hong Kong were causing damage to the Swedish industry they must prove that there was market disruption. There had been a decrease in Swedish imports of sweaters, pullovers etc. of discontinuous synthetic fibres and an increase in woollen items and that indicated a change in consumer demand. Mr. Strandberg said that the entire decline in acrylic imports in 1968 was due to the reduction of 2 million twin sets from South Korea. Baron de Geer observed that there appeared to be one market for twinsets and another market for other items. Mr. Jordan commented that by reference to those remarks and the tables most of the imports from South Korea were twinsets of discontinuous synthetic fibre for women's and girls' wear, whilst imports from Hong Kong were spread over many items.
65.
The meeting adjourned at 4.50 p.m. to enable the Swedish delegation to visit the Plover Cove Reservoir.
/Fifth Session
CONFIDENTIAL
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