Hong Kong welcomes new developments in negotiations at the WTO's Sixth Ministerial Conference, and urges all delegates to make the best use of the remaining time to achieve a successful outcome.

Speaking on the second-last day of the conference at the Convention & Exhibition Centre today, Assistant Director-General of Trade & Industry Rosanna Law said the Hong Kong delegation expects intensive negotiations to continue until the conference's close, and urged mMembers to work to reach a consensus.

"Negotiations are at a critical stage," she said, adding the Hong Kong delegation backs the revised draft Ministerial Declaration the WTO Secretariat issued today.

"Our initial reaction is that the revised draft provides a feasible foundation for members to enter into the final stage of negotiations. On services, it is Hong Kong's strong desire to see Ministers endorsing a sound and workable basis for negotiations to intensify in 2006. We will resist any further changes to the revised Annex C as contained in the revised Declaration."

New substance added to Decaration on agriculture

On agriculture, Miss Law noted that new substance has been added to the revised Declaration.

"Specifically, two options of a clear reference to the end-date for the elimination of export subsidies have been inserted. Hong Kong welcomes this development and hope that members can redouble their efforts, and exercise leadership, in reaching a consensus on this very important point."

On development, Miss Law also noted that details in relation to the elimination of export subsidies and reduction of domestic support for cotton have been inserted. Details on duty- and quota-free access for least-developed countries as a whole are subject to further negotiations in the remainder of the Conference.

But duty- and quota-free access for cotton for least-developed countries has been set out in the revised draft Declaration.

"Hong Kong is encouraged by this development and we hope that agreement can be reached as soon as possible on overall duty-free, quota-free access for the least-developed countries."