ENG-1969 — Page 99

INDUSTRY AND TRADE

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unilaterally to limit exports to Norway of women's and girls' acrylic and woollen knitwear and men's and boys' woollen knitwear for one year from October 1.

Sweden. Consultations with representatives of the Swedish Government on Hong Kong's exports of cotton and non-cotton textiles took place on three occasions-in February, April and June. These negotiations resulted in an agreement whereby Hong Kong undertook to restrain exports of 12 categories of cotton garments to 7.21 million pieces and cotton towels to 292 metric tons for the period May 1, 1969 to June 30, 1970. At the same time, Hong Kong also undertook unilaterally to limit exports to Sweden of six categories of non-cotton garments to 3.38 million pieces for 12 months commencing July 1, 1969.

United Kingdom. Outside the ambit of the Cotton Textiles Arrangement, Hong Kong's export to Britain of cotton yarn, cotton woven piecegoods, garments and made-up articles are limited under a five-year agreement reached in 1966. This agreement provided for the export, in 1969, of 6.49 million pounds of cotton yarn and the equivalent of 193.04 million square yards in the piecegoods, garments and made-up groups combined.

Based on the recommendations of the Textile Council, the British Government announced in July its decision to impose a tariff on imports of cotton textiles into the United Kingdom from Commonwealth countries and to remove quotas as from January 1, 1972. A special committee of the Textiles Advisory Board has been established to study the likely effects for Hong Kong.

Federal Republic of Germany. The year saw the continuation of the export restraint agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany on Hong Kong's exports of cotton woven textile products. The 1969 aggregate limit is 67.65 million square yards. Exports of woollen knitted outerwear, previously under restraint, were liberalised in June.

Australia. Following consultations with the Australian Govern- ment in June 1969, Hong Kong agreed to restrain exports to Australia of cotton drills, other than grey, weighing between six and 15 ounces per square yard, to 950,000 square yards during the period July 1, 1969 to June 30, 1970.