CCP: HF/SP 04/1

I. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON
II. ADOPTION OF THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA
III. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE SUB-GROUP AND SUBMISSION TO THE GROUP
A. Recommendations regarding prices of sisal fibre and harvest twine

In the course of the discussion on this item it is usual practice for the Sub-Group to suspend its formal proceedings and hold informal discussions with representatives of consuming countries. The Sub-Group usually makes recommendations on the levels of indicative prices for African and Brazilian fibre, and for sisal twine. The Joint Meeting of the Thirty-second Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Hard Fibres and the Thirty-fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Group on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres in 2003 made the following recommendations:

• The indicative price for Brazilian No. 3 fibre should be increased from the range US$550 to US$600 to the range US$605 to US$660 per tonne c.i.f. European ports;
• The indicative price for East African UG fibre should be increased from the range US$700 to US$750 to the range US$840 to US$900 per tonne, c.i.f. European ports;
• The indicative price for sisal and henequen baler twine should remain at US$19 per 18 kg bale of regular runnage c.i.f. United States and western Europe duty paid, where applicable, if terms were cash against documents.

1. Sisal and henequen projects supported by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)

The Sub-Group is invited to review progress on the projects and to make recommendations for any further action regarding CFC project proposals. The Sub-Group may wish to review any additional project profiles submitted for its consideration well in advance of its session. Such new proposals should reach the Secretariat by the end of October 2004.

IV. ANY OTHER BUSINESS, INCLUDING DATE AND PLACE OF THE NEXT SESSION

V. ADOPTION OF REPORT

Tuesday 14 December
- 14.30 hours: Opening of the Sub-Group Session
Thursday 16 December
- 09.30 hours: Adoption of the Report of the Sub-Group