Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang will depart for Korea onTuesday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade.

It will be held on June 2 and 3 in Jeju, to discuss APEC's support for the World Trade Organisation Doha Development Agenda negotiations.

Ministers will have exchanges on how to give the Doha Development Agenda process a strong political push so that there will be a credible 'First Approximation' of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration by July.

This would pave the way for an ambitious and balanced outcome in the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Hong Kong in December.

"The meeting is very timely because for the MC6 to deliver results, it is vital that the 'First Approximation' could be drawn up by the end of July," Mr Tsang said.

Mr Tsang to visit Korean technology institutes

The meeting will also discuss issues concerning the progress made in achieving the Bogor Goals, economic and technical cooperation, transparency and anti-corruption, and counter-terrorism.

During his stay in Jeju, Mr Tsang will hold meetings with Korean minister Kim Hyun-chong and Australian Minister for Trade Mark Vaile to discuss matters of mutual interests.

Before arriving at Jeju, Mr Tsang will make a brief stop at Seoul. He will visit the Samsung Research & Development Complex and the Korean Game Development & Promotion Institute.

He will return to Hong Kong on June 3.