TNAG-0385-FCO40-431-Trade-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-EEC-1974 — Page 25

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دسل لسنة

year

discrein wis from

continue to enjoy duty preferences on entry into HK. Surely, Mr. Chairman, the time has come in this duty free port to remove these last remaining preferential duties?

13.

From what we have just said, you will see Mr. Chairman that our fears are both for the short and the long term and our situation is made no easier by the many other factors affecting the HK textile industry at the present time. We understand that the UK quotas this year are considerably under-utilised which serves to underline this point. We admit we are alarmed -but we have every right to be since we are talking about an industry that accounts for nearly half of all HK's domestic

exports.

14.

Although not within our terms of reference we know that the footwear industry is in a similar plight to us and we believe that what we have said for textiles applies equally to footwear.

15.

We therefore ask you to make our position quite clear to HMG and to consider the points we have outlined and to represent them with your support. We ask you to make this Board's concern well known to HMG and to pass a copy of this statement to the Secretary of State. Finally, we wish to inform

! you that the trade associations will shortly be making a public

statement similar to this one.

Thank you.