Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau will depart for Geneva on July 18 to attend the World Trade Organisation meetings relating to agriculture and non-agricultural market access, and services.

"The meetings will provide a valuable opportunity to inject political impetus into the ongoing negotiations. We hope this gathering of trade ministers will help us find common ground for moving towards the conclusion of the round," Mrs Lau said.

The meetings are aimed at narrowing differences among WTO members to facilitate a successful conclusion of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations by the end of 2008.

She will return to Hong Kong on July 26.