BRITISH RAYON TRADE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27050, 27 May 1953, Page 14

BRITISH RAYON TRADE

PRODUCTION UP AND EXPORTS DOWN British production of rayon yarns and staples is establishing new high records, but exports of rayon goods fall considerably short of the highest figures recorded, and it appears that the scope for overseas business is becoming more seriously restricted in some directions. '"Rayon Review,” the official publication of the British Rayon and Synthetic Fibres Federation, in its latest issue, mentions five important markets where obstacles to trade have been or are likely to be raised. In Nigeria, for reasons of revenue, the principal duties affecting rayon and spun rayon goods have been increased. The duties on some rayon and rayon mixture furnishing and upholstery fabrics in the Australian import tariff have been raised. Indian import duties on rayon, spun rayon, and rayon mixture fabrics have been raised sharply, and there have been reductions in the British preferential margins. In Ireland some woven spun rayon fabrics have been brought under the import. quota scheme, which virtually prohibits the importation of these goods. Increased duties on certain furnishing, upholstery, and curtain fabrics are being sought in South Africa. The list is a depressing one, and the director of the federation, Mr A. J. C. Walters, points out that the continuance of purchase tax, coupled with these and other serious impediments to trade, will most certainly influence the export returns for the current