Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang will depart for Davos, Switzerland, on January 28 to attend an informal World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting to review the progress of Doha Development Agenda negotiations.

The meeting provides an opportunity for ministers to set parameters for the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee which is expected to meet in mid-February to reflect on the negotiations and outline objectives for the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference.

It also provides a chance for ministers to use their influence to bring more WTO members on board before the discussions to help ensure they will be fruitful.

The Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference will take place in Hong Kong from December 13 to 18.

The informal ministerial meeting on January 29 is hosted by the Swiss Government on the sideline of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

Mr Tsang will return to Hong Kong on January 31.