./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/L/310
2 August 1999
(99-3256)
Original:  English
COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL
TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU
Twenty-Ninth Session
Bhurban, Pakistan, 12-15 July 1999
Communication from Hong Kong, China
The following communiqué from the above-mentioned meeting held in Bhurban, Pakistan,
has been received from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office with the request that it be
circulated to delegations.
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INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU*
Bhurban Communiqué
1. The ITCB Council of Representatives, meeting at  its 29th Session, expressed its concern that
the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) of the WTO continues to be used by importing
developed countries as a means of maintaining and diversifying restrictions in textile trade, rather than
as a set of rules governing the transition towards full integration of the textiles and clothing sector into
GATT 1994 by the end of the year 2004.
2. The Council evaluated the implementation of the ATC nearing its half-way mark and noted
the lack of commercially meaningful progress towards the elimination of restrictions and the
consequent failure to achieve a progressive process of integration as set out in the Agreement.  In this
regard, the Council reiterated that the ATC shall be fully implemented well within the agreed time-
frame.  To achieve this outcome, the process of integration must be improved.  The Council expressed
concern at attempts to condition the implementation of already agreed commitments on additionalsectoral access by developing countries.
3. The Council decided therefore to submit its views to the General Council of the WTO in the
context of discussions relating to the evaluation of implementation of WTO agreements.  On this
basis, it also decided to develop and later submit to the WTO General Council suggestions on how
importing developed countries could improve the process and the quality of implementation of the
                                                     
* The following WTO Members/Observers are also Members of the ITCB:  Argentina; Brazil;
Bangladesh; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Egypt; El Salvador; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India;
Indonesia; Korea; Macau; Maldives; Mexico; Pakistan; Paraguay; Peru; Sri Lanka; Thailand and
Uruguay.WT/L/310
Page 2
ATC.  In the context of preparations for the third Ministerial Conference, it further decided to
continue consultations in Geneva with a view to ascertaining the most appropriate actions that may be
taken in the future.
4. The Council discussed, in depth, such issues as anti-dumping, rules of origin and tariffs
applied by developed countries in the context of trade in textiles and clothing.  In this connection, theCouncil reiterated the continuing concerns it highlighted in the San Salvador and Maldives
Communiqués.  The Council deplored once again the protectionist resort to anti-dumping actions by a
major developed importer, especially against exports of already restrained products.  It renewed its
concern at the past abuse of transitional safeguard actions by another major developed importing
country, particularly in light of the recent transitional safeguard action taken by that country which
was found to be unjustified by the TMB.  It also stressed that arbitrary changes in rules of origin and
administrative procedures have substantially disrupted trade and impeded full utilization of accessunder the ATC.
5. The presentations by and discussions with representatives of importers' associations from
Europe, the United States and Japan proved extremely valuable in understanding issues relevant to
full and faithful implementation of the ATC.  The Council encouraged them to continue their efforts
to bring before public opinion in their countries the benefits of free trade, particularly in the area oftextiles and clothing.
6. Useful exchanges also resulted from the presentations made by representatives of the WTO,
UNCTAD and the ITC whose presence was highly appreciated.
7. The Council welcomed the presence of representatives from the DPR of Korea and
Guatemala since these countries are in the process of finalizing their internal processes to become fullmembers of ITCB.  It also appreciated the presence of delegations from Vietnam and Mauritius and
expressed the hope that these countries will also become full members in the near future.
8. The Council granted observer status to the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and
Export of Textiles and to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association thus
expanding the participation of the private sector in the Bureau's activities.
9. The Council of Representatives of ITCB expressed its profound gratitude to the Government
of Pakistan for hosting its 29th Session in Bhurban from 12 to 15 July 1999.  H.E. Muhammed Ishaq
Dar, Minister for Finance and Commerce of Pakistan, inaugurated the session.  Mr. Stuart Harbinson
of Hong Kong, China was elected Chairman and Mr. Nasim Qureshi of Pakistan and
Mr. William Ehlers of Uruguay were elected as Vice-Chairmen of the session.
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