TRADE IN ASIA

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29734, 30 January 1962, Page 15

TRADE IN ASIA

Appeal To Six By E.C.A.F.E.

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BANGKOK, Jan. 29

The trade committee of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East today ended a week long conference after reviewing trade developments in the region in 1960 and the first half of 1961.

Delegates, in their reports, appealed to the European Common Market to adopt an “outward-looking” attitude to Asian primary producers by cutting high tariffs and quantitative restrictions.

They reported that their countries had taken measures during the last year to improve tht quality of their products, widen the range of goods for export and standardise and simplify export procedures. Delegates reported that while the total value of exports in the region had increased, economic development and industrialisation plans had necessitated an even greater outlay of foreign reserves for the import of capital goods, raw materials and machinery. This resulted in a further deterioration in the region's already unfavourable balance-of-payments position and an ever-widening gap between the industrial economies of Europe and America on one hand and the primary-pro-ducing countries of the E.C.A.FJE. region on the other. The situation was further aggravated by a general decline in the prices of commodities like rubber and tea. rising freight rates, tariff barriers and agricultural “protectionism” in developed countries. Thirty-two countries were represented at the conference.

Protest to Russia.— lran has protested to the Russian Government over recent student riots in Teheran. It accused Russia of complicity, the British United Press reported.—Teheran, January 29.