Final touches: Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Denise Yue (centre) says MC6 preparations are in the final stage.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Denise Yue has appealed for public co-operation and tolerance for all the special arrangements required for the WTO 6th Ministerial Conference next week. She said preparations for the event are now in the final stage.

More than 11,000 participants from around the world will attend MC6, which will be a significant milestone in the Doha Development Agenda negotiations, she said.

A successful conclusion of the Doha Round will boost the world economy and ease poverty. Hong Kong will press for an early harvest 'development package' for developing and the least-developed member economies during the conference.

She said hosting MC6 underlines Hong Kong's commitment to and participation in the WTO as a full and separate member, raising the city's international profile as a bastion of free trade.

To safeguard public safety and order, a closed area covering the Convention & Exhibition Centre and its vicinity will be implemented from 6pm December 12 to 5am on December 19.

Entry to some Government buildings in Wan Chai and Central Districts will be regulated for security.

Deputy Director-General of Trade & Industry Carol Yip said multilateral trade negotiations are at a critical juncture. WTO members have been working to capture the progress made so far, and MC6 is expected to see agreement on a platform on which the final stage of the talks will be based, so as to achieve the goal of successfully concluding the talks by the end of 2006.

The WTO General Council has prepared a draft Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration of over 40 pages for ministers to consider, which set out the crucial elements under the five key negotiating items: agriculture, non-agricultural market access, services, rules and trade facilitation, and development.

Head of the Ministerial Conference Co-ordination Office Janet Wong said her team is putting the finishing touch to logistics arrangements covering hotel accommodation, transport and protocol, conference facilities, information and communication technology, hospitality and social programmes.

"We welcome all participants to visit Hong Kong, and will do our best to ensure the smooth conduct of the conference," Miss Wong said.

In planning and implementing the arrangements, the office has maintained close dialogue with those likely to be affected and has kept them informed of the work being undertaken.

Over 70 briefings have been conducted for District Councils, residents and business organisations in the affected areas.

The pamphlet Understanding the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, which details security and traffic arrangements and offers advice to people, schools, institutions and businesses, has been produced. It will be widely distributed to the public, schools and hotels through District Offices, the Education & Manpower Bureau and the Tourism Board.

9,000 police

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Yam said about 9,000 officers will be deployed in the security operation.

Mr Yam said Police will ensure a safe and undisrupted conference, and respect for freedoms of assembly and speech.

He said strong action will be taken against people disrupting the conference, threatening safety, or causing damage or disruption, and called on activists to respect Hong Kong law.

Bus routes

Deputy Commissioner for Transport Carolina Yip said the Government would strive for effective co-ordination of traffic measures, provision of public transport services, quick response to emergencies and effective information dissemination.

These arrangements include:

* closure of all roads and ferry piers in the closed area to all traffic except with the permission from the Police;

* suspension of bus termini, bus stops, taxi stands, loading bays in Wan Chai north of Gloucester Road and all on-street parking spaces in Wan Chai north of Hennessy Road;

* diversion of 29 bus routes;

* relocation of the terminus of Wan Chai-Huanggang cross-boundary coach service to the Central (Macau Ferry) Terminus; and,

* suspension of ferry services from Wan Chai Ferry Pier to Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom.

Depending on circumstances and traffic conditions, other ad-hoc traffic and transport arrangements may be implemented.

A restricted area will also be established in waters adjacent to the airport from 8am on December 9 to midnight December 19.

Motorists and commuters are urged to:

* avoid travelling to affected or congested areas, especially Wan Chai North, unless really necessary;

* use public transport;

* avoid the Cross-Harbour Tunnel;

* plan travels early, use alternative routes and allow more travel time to cater for unexpected delays; and,

* watch for Government traffic updates.

For more information visit the MC6 website; Police website (e-mail pprb@police.gov.hk); Transport Department website (hotline 2804 2600 and email tdenq@td.gov.hk); Home Affairs Department website (hotline 2835 1473); Tourism Board website (hotline 2508 1234).