0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
32 -
Woven nightgarments of discontinuous, synthetic fibre (New Item 5)
168.
Mr. Ho noted that production was declining, but as Mr. Strandberg had admitted, this was due to the switch in demand to fashion garments made of cotton pile stretch nylon fabrics which Hong Kong did not export. He commented that even if the cotton and non-cotton items were added together, they would still total only 916,000 pieces or only 66,000 over the 1968/69 Hong Kong restraint limit for cotton alone. Again there was no case for restraint.
169.
At the close of Mr. Ho's remarks, Mr. Dorward said that he would like to raise two points of a general nature. Firstly, he referred to the recent suspension of export authorisations. He pointed out that as a result trade in the items involved was continuing in only a limited way, export licences being issued against the outstanding export authorisations approved prior to the suspension. As a result, Hong Kong manufacturers and exporters might find themselves in difficulties in fulfilling contracts which would lead, in turn, to dislocation of wholesale and retail distribution in Sweden. Already one Swedish importer had brought a hardship case to his notice and had been advised to take it up with Mr. Henriksson in Stockholm. . He said it was in everyone's interests to see that a normal licensing situation was resumed quickly.
170.
Secondly, he pointed out that the recent problems regarding the classification of dress shirts called for closer co-operation at government levels. He asked that in future whenever there was any similar problem, the matter should immediately be brought to Hong Kong's notice through the British Embassy in Stockholm or the Swedish Consul General in Hong Kong, rather than belatedly and vaguely by Hong Kong suppliers whose importers were having difficulties with Swedish Customs.
171.
172.
Baron de Geer noted these remarks.
The meeting adjourned at 4.30 p.m.
CONFIDENTIAL
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