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Hong Kong, China's offer to host the next Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been accepted by the WTO membership at the General Council meeting today (October 21). The meeting decided unanimously that Hong Kong, China should be entrusted with this responsibility.

Welcoming the decision, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang said today, "We are very pleased that Hong Kong, China's offer to host the next Ministerial Conference has been accepted by the WTO membership. This is a strong vote of confidence in Hong Kong.

"It is also a reflection of the WTO membership's appreciation of Hong Kong, China's constructive and active participation in the Organisation," he said.

"We will do our best to stage a conference that is successful in both substantive and logistical terms," Mr Tsang said.

"We will work out the detailed requirements for the Conference with the WTO Secretariat and then draw up a detailed budget for examination by Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, which has earlier given in-principle approval for Hong Kong to host the Ministerial Conference. We will strike a balance between being an effective host and deployment of limited resources," said Mr Tsang.

Timing of the next Ministerial Conference still needs to be worked out with reference to progress to be made in the next few months in Geneva, and the wishes of WTO Members.

Ends/Tuesday, October 21, 2003

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