TNAG-0165-FCO40-201-Export-of-textiles-to-Norway-and-Sweden-1969 — Page 55

0003230 G.F. 323

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export authorisation system for a further year, he would not accept restraint.

Non-Cotton Garments Table 2

Sweaters, pullovers, slipovers, jumpers etc.)

90.

Baron de Geer confirmed that the Swedish request was:-

(a) woollen knitwear of both sexes:

of existing restraint;

prolongation

(b) w.g. continuous synthetic fibre knitwear:

currently under restraint, to be liberalised;

(c) w.g. discontinuous synthetic fibre knitwear:

prolongation of existing restraint;

(d) m.b. discontinuous synthetic fibre knitwear:

free at present but an export authorisation scheme requested.

Non-Cotton Garments Table 3

Anoraks and similar jackets)

91.

Baron de Geer said the difficulty in identifying the sex of those garments necessitated the extension of the current restriction to w. & g. anoraks etc. of discontinuous synthetic fibres. Mr. Jordan replied that whether or not Hong Kong would be able to agree to the Swedish proposal of restricting all synthetic fibre anoraks of both sexes would depend on the overall outcome of the consultations.

Non-Cotton Garments Table 4 (Blouses)

92.

Mr. Jordan commented that the statistics seemed to indicate that Hong Kong should assist, but he would have to seek further instructions first before consulting further.

Non-Cotton Garments Table 5

Shirts)

93.

Baron de Geer explained that although Sweden agreed not to restrict this item at the Geneva consultations, changes since then had been such that the Swedish delegation had been given specific instructions to seek restriction on the item. A month before, Baron de Geer continued, one of the biggest Swedish factories making polyester/cotton shirts went bankrupt because of heavy competition from Hong Kong imports and, at the same time a few small factories also closed down. The market was moving away from cotton synthetic

Sweden fibre shirts, and there Hong Kong and South Korea dominated. could not justify restricting South Korean imports, if it allowed" Hong Kong, which led in that field, to continue to export without restriction. Mr. Henriksson referred to the high Hong Kong import figures for January and February 1969, and the quantity approved under export authorisation. Mr. Jordan queried the logic in attributing the cause for the closure of one factory to imports alone, and he; asked whether the bankruptcy of one large factory could be sufficient

He said evidence in support of a request for import restriction. that although imports of Hong Kong discontinuous synthetic fibre dress shirts had risen, the amount approved under export authorisation had in fact declined. Taking shirts of all fibres into consideration,

/he agreed

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