TNAG-0464-FCO40-529-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-EEC-Generalised-Scheme-of-Prefer-1974 — Page 66

Footwear

10 At present Hong Kong is excluded from the FC's GSP on textiles

and footwear. The Commission has proposed including Hong Kong as a

beneficiary for footwear but not textiles. Hong Kong stands to gain

preferential trade of about 10 million ua on footwear. So far some

Member States have given a moderately encouraging response, although

Ireland and Italy have shown opposition, and Benelux are clearly

unenthusiastic.

Textiles

11 The Commission will not be proposing Hong Kong as a beneficiary

for textiles in 1975. We have not had proposals from the Commission

yet but they have indicated that they will be continuing the 1974

scheme unchanged, apart from a small increase in quotas, as an interin

measure until the bilaterial agreements under the Ida are concluded,

We have expressed disappointment and make it clear that we regard the

elimination of discrimination against Hong Kong as essential.

strong statement was made last week in CORUFER to this effect.

CRB 1

21 October 1974

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