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The Government is inviting further input from interested parties on the areas that Hong Kong, China (HKC) may pursue with our trading partners on the liberalisation of trade in services in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The WTO launched a new round of services negotiations in 2000. To prepare for the negotiations, the Government had previously conducted two public consultation exercises, one in 2002 and the other in 2005. The views collected have formed the basis for drawing up Hong Kong's negotiating positions, as well as the requests and offers for further liberalisation in trade in services.
"Having regard to the timelines set in the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration adopted by trade ministers last December for concluding the services negotiations, intensive negotiations are being conducted in Geneva among WTO Members, and these are expected to last through the year," a Government spokesman said.
"To further develop our positions for the services negotiations in 2006, and to ensure that the prevailing interests of the community are represented, we are seeking further views from the business community on restrictive or discriminatory trade measures encountered in overseas markets, or positive undertakings which are conducive to trade. We also welcome any views from other interested parties, including non-governmental organisations that keep an interest in the WTO negotiations, and the public on the position that the Government may adopt in the negotiations," the spokesman continued.
Views and comments may be sent to the Multilateral Division of the Trade and Industry Department, or via fax (2390 7479) or email (mdiv1@tid.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, April 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:39
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