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Hong Kong China, together with five other member economies of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), today (July 17) issued a joint statement to urge major players to show the leadership needed for the early conclusion of the Doha Round negotiations.
The statement, issued today to coincide with the G8 summit and outreach meeting in St Petersburg, was jointly signed by the trade Ministers of six WTO members ¡ª Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China, Kenya, New Zealand and Singapore.
The Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Joseph WP Wong, said that the statement was intended to call on key players gathered in St Petersburg to show the leadership at this crucial stage in the Doha negotiations.
"The WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong last year had been a success and had served as a launching pad for the conclusion of the Doha Round.
"We are disappointed that despite efforts by all concerned, an agreement still eluded us," Mr Wong said.
He added that Hong Kong had always played a constructive part in WTO discussions and had taken the initiative to join hands with the other five economies to issue this joint statement.
"We hope that the statement can impress upon fellow WTO members the importance of reaching an early conclusion to the current talks," he said.
Ends/Monday, July 17, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:04
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