Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang has called for strong leadership from the European Union, a crucial element for attaining meaningful outcomes in the upcoming World Trade Organisation 6th Ministerial Conference.

Mr Tsang made the appeal at a luncheon on EU-HK trade and business co-operation hosted by the Office of the European Commission in Hong Kong today. Noting MC6 is a major milestone on the road to global trade liberalisation, he said the EU is a key player in the process.

"We are encouraged by recent positive efforts of the EU in cultivating understanding on the key issues with the US as well as with other key WTO Members," he said.

Moving ahead

The EU can play a part in advancing the process by exercising influence on its governments, impressing upon them the benefits that EU businesses will derive from a successful Doha Round, Mr Tsang said, adding that as Chair of the Hong Kong Ministerial, he is working with the European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson to bring this about.

He said agriculture remained the major hurdle in this round of negotiations. WTO members are looking to the EU and the US to spearhead liberalisation in their various agricultural support measures.

"Movement in agriculture is the key to unlock progress in other areas, such as services and industrial tariffs. But the hard fact is that we have 10 weeks before MC6. It is a big task, but Hong Kong, as host, will do everything possible to produce a positive outcome."

He said it had been estimated the world economy could be boosted by some US$600 billion if trade barriers in agriculture, manufacturing and services trade were cut by a third. A successful conclusion to the round could potentially lift 140 million people out of poverty.