Britain: An official handbook > 1977

TRADE AND PAYMENTS
Generalised
System of
Preferences
GOVERNMENT
SERVICES
British Overseas
Trade Board
Information
and Advice to
Exporters
375
whole in 1976 under arrangements similar to those embodied in the Con¬
vention of Lome. (The trade arrangements that will operate under this new
association were brought into effect on an interim basis in August 1975.) The
preference for imports from Commonwealth countries which are neither
signatories of the Lome agreement nor members of the OCT will be phased
out by 1st July 1977.
Other special arrangements have been agreed relating to continued access
into the Community for New Zealand dairy products.
The Community has stated its continuing objective of expanding and re¬
inforcing existing trade relations with the Commonwealth countries of Asia,
taking into account the scope of the generalised system of preferences (see
below) from which they derive considerable benefit. A commercial co-operation
agreement between the Community and India came into effect in 1974, and
with Sri Lanka in October 1975. An agreement with Pakistan was signed in
June 1976.
The establishment of a generalised system of preferences for manufactures and
semi-manufactures exported by developing countries was agreed in principle
at the second UNCTAD Conference in New Delhi in 1968. Britain’s scheme
started early in 1972, but, as a member of the European Community, Britain
adopted in 1974 scheme of the enlarged Community. The Community’s
scheme has been considerably improved since the enlargement by the establish¬
ment of more liberal access into the Community for imports of manufactured
and processed agricultural products from developing countries. Continued
improvement of the scheme is to be made with the interests of the poorest
developing countries (particularly those of Asian members of the Common¬
wealth) in mind.
The Government assists exporters by its efforts to create conditions favourable
to the export trade and by providing credit insurance facilities and information
and advice about opportunities for trade in other countries. Export promotion
is also assisted by the Scottish Council (Development and Industry), the
Development Corporation for Wales and in Northern Ireland by the Depart¬
ment of Commerce.
The British Overseas Trade Board (BOTB) directs Britain’s export promotion
programme, including the provision of export intelligence, help to exporters at
trade fairs and other promotional events overseas, and support for firms
participating in missions overseas and for inward commercial visits to Britain.
It includes representatives of commerce and industry, the Trades Union
Congress, the Department of Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office and operates under the general authority of the Secretary of State for
Trade who is the President.
Exporters wanting assistance and advice can consult the export offices of the
Department of Industry throughout Britain and, through these offices, the
commercial posts of the British Diplomatic Service overseas.
Overseas officers regularly report on local economic and commercial con¬
ditions and (together with the Export Services and Promotions Division of the
BOTB) generally assist the exporter to overcome any difficulties he encounters
in trade with the country in question, particularly those arising out of govern¬
mental regulations. Assistance is also given to British exporters in appointing
agents and locating potential importers.