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Hong Kong is pushing for an ambitious formula that will bring tariff cuts for the benefit of all World Trade Organization (WTO) members.
Speaking on the fourth day of the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference at the Convention and Exhibition Centre today (December 16), Assistant Director-General of Trade and Industry, Miss Rosanna Law, said the Hong Kong, China delegation's objective is shared by the majority Members.
"On non-agricultural market access, discussion is concentrating on the structure of the tariff reduction formula, including flexibility for developing countries. Views are mixed, but there is a general consensus that higher tariffs should be subject to higher cuts," she said.
"What we are doing is to push for an ambitious formula to deliver a real reduction of tariffs, particularly for products of export interest to developing countries. We are working with a number of like-minded Members to achieve this. Our objective is shared by the majority of Members, but real progress is linked to progress in agriculture."
Miss Law said agriculture discussion at this stage focused on the possibility of setting an end-date for the elimination of all forms of export subsidies. Hong Kong strongly supported this work and looked to major players, such as the European Community, to demonstrate leadership.
On services, Miss Law said Hong Kong was working with like-minded Members to secure Ministers' endorsement of the direction and approaches set out in Annex C of the Draft Ministerial Declaration.
"We do this since we would like to see intensification of negotiations on areas of export interest to Hong Kong service providers," she said.
On development, discussion is focusing on the question of duty- and quota-free access for the least-developed countries.
"Hong Kong, China fully supports this initiative and we spare no efforts in all the informal meetings to push for its adoption," Miss Law said.
"Negotiations are intensifying. Hong Kong, China hopes that all members will exercise flexibility and pragmatism to bring about a successful outcome."
Ends/Friday, December 16, 2005
Issued at HKT 19:18
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