Duty reductions (mainly of 50 per cent) or duty free entry is offered without limitation on a range of processed agricultural pro- ducts. These will be subject to an escape clause arrangement under which the preference could be withdrawn for a specific product from a specific beneficiary country.
THE NORDIC COUNTRIES
The Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland) have tabled a joint scheme. They are generally prepared to grant duty free entry from developing countries for all industrial pro- ducts (including raw materials). They have, however, submitted a list of products which in one or more of the Nordic countries are at present considered to be sensitive to market disruption and which may consequently have to be excluded or given special treat- ment in one or more of these countries. The form this special treat- ment may take has not been decided. The list includes most textiles, rubber tyres, most leather, leather clothing, footwear, pottery and chinaware, glassware, cycles and motor cycles, furniture and slide fasteners. Duty free entry is also proposed for a range of primary and processed agricultural products.
The safeguard arrangements apply to the offer will allow the preference to be withdrawn on any product or for quantitative limitations to be introduced in circumstances of market disruption or its threat as a result of the preference.
AUSTRIA
Austria is prepared to grant as a first stage a 30 per cent duty reduction on all manufactures and semi-manufactures in Chapters 25 to 99 of the Tariff except for cotton textiles and products sub- ject to variable levies or equalization charges (for example casein, albumin and starches). Duty reductions of up to 50 per cent, or in some cases duty free entry, are proposed for a range of processed agricultural products.
The offer is subject to a safeguard mechanism. The Austrian safe- guard provides for the suspension or withdrawal of a preference on a specific product if imports of the product from beneficiary coun- tries reach 25 per cent above the level in the preceding year. If imports from a particular beneficiary country rise to at least 10 per cent more than imports from that country in the preceding year and the beneficiary country concerned is the first or second largest supplying country amongst the beneficiaries the preference can be withdrawn from that country. The purpose of this provision is to enable the less competitive beneficiary countries to obtain greater benefit from the scheme.
SWITZERLAND
Switzerland proposes to reduce duties by 30 per cent on virtually all goods in Chapters 25 to 99 of the tariff except those subject to fiscal duties, as a first stage towards duty free entry. Duty free entry or tariff reductions are also proposed for a range of agricultural products.
The operation of the arrangements will be reviewed after two years and consideration given to granting further reductions or, where possible, duty free entry. A safeguard clause provides for the suspension of the preference in whole or in part or for the appli- cation of measures available under Swiss foreign trade legislation, if the preference results in disruption or damage to Swiss economic interests.
THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
The Irish Republic proposes to reduce by one-third the duties (other than revenue duties) on imports from developing countries of all manufactures and semi-manufactures in Chapters 25 to 99 of the Tariff with certain exceptions which include most textiles, rubber tyres, most leather, footwear and vehicles and parts thereof. Preferential treatment may be withdrawn or modified where in- creased imports are causing or are likely to cause serious injury to home manufactures. No preferences are offered on agricultural products.
The Minister for Trade, Mr. Michael Noble, points out a feature in the new Directory of British Export Houses which was launched at a reception at the Department of Trade and Industry last week. The directory has been published by Thomas Skinner, at the in- stigation of the British Export Houses Association, to provide com- prehensive and detailed information about how export houses work. Financial aid and encouragement for the project has come from the Government and BNEC. With Mr. Noble are (left to right) Mr. Roymond Haddrell (managing director, IPC Business Press Infor- mation Services), Mr. Simon Kimmins (chairman, British Export Houses Association) and Mr. David Howard (managing director, IPC Business Press Information Services).
CANADA
Canada proposes as a first step to reduce the duty by one-third or to the British Preferential rate, whichever is the lower, on all industrial manufactures and semi-manufactures with the exception of goods whose import into Canada is subject to quantitative re- straints (these include woven cotton, worsted and man-made fibre fabrics and certain other textiles). Consideration is being given to granting similar preferences on a number of primary products.
Duty free entry or duty reductions are also proposed for a range of processed agricultural products. There is a safeguard provision available if imports under the preference cause or threaten market disruption.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand proposes to reduce the duty on imports from de- veloping countries of a list of agricultural and industrial products to the British preferential level or in some cases to zero or a special preferential rate.
AUSTRALIA
Australia introduced in 1966 its own scheme for imports from developing countries, under which a list of handicraft products is admitted duty free without limitation and a list of industrial pro- ducts is admitted duty free or at a preferential rate up to specified ceilings. Additions have been made to these lists.
THE EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
The USSR, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria have stated their intention of taking steps to facilitate imports from de- veloping countries, including in the case of Czechoslovakia, Hun- gary and Bulgaria, the granting of tariff preferences. Details have not yet been published but Czechoslovakia has stated her intention of making, as a first step towards duty free entry, a 50 per cent tariff cut on imports of industrial manufactures and semi- manufactures and agricultural products from developing countries, the main exceptions to be some textiles and footwear and some agricultural products.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.