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The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, today (November 21) reiterated that the Government would respect the right of non-government organisations (NGOs) in expressing their views.
The Government would also assist the NGOs in the conduct of their civic activities in a peaceful and orderly manner in the run-up to and during the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, he added.
Mr Tsang was speaking at the second discussion session with local NGOs on the latest developments on negotiations in the lead-up to the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference. The first session had been held on November 12.
"We value the participation of NGOs in this important meeting as well as the opportunity to talk to them face-to-face, to hear their views on many of the WTO issues and to have a meaningful two-way dialogue," he said.
As the chair of the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, Mr Tsang noted that he had been busily meeting and negotiating with many WTO members recently with a view to ensuring a smooth discussion in the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference.
"Following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Busan last week, the 21 APEC Economic Leaders issued a strongly-worded statement reaffirming the importance of the successful conclusion of the WTO Doha Development Agenda (DAA) negotiations and agreeing to provide strong political leadership and the commitment necessary to produce in Hong Kong a sound platform for successfully concluding the negotiations," he said.
"This statement demonstrates Asia-Pacific leaders' support for the multilateral trading system and trade liberalisation and gives a strong boost to the negotiations in Hong Kong next month," he added.
Mr Tsang pointed out that the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference was very important in the liberalisation of international trade.
"Hong Kong is very honoured to host this Conference and I hope the public and the media would seize this opportunity to know more about what the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference is all about, its agenda and the substance side of the talks," he said.
Apart from the progress of the negotiations, Mr Tsang and officials from the Trade and Industry Department also exchanged views with the NGO representatives on a number of subjects, including the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, market access for non-agricultural products and services negotiations.
Mr Tsang further clarified at the meeting that all Government services are outside the ambit of the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services.
The two meeting sessions with NGOs were organised by the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference Co-ordination Office. Earlier in October, Mr Tsang and WTO Director-General, Mr Pascal Lamy, also attended a Roundtable Forum to meet with NGOs.
Ends/Monday, November 21, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:30
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