Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang says the WTO Sixth Ministerial Conference achieved more than expected.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Mr Tsang said members at the conference secured an end date, that is, 2013, for all export subsidies in agriculture and a solid duty-free, quota-free access for the 32 least-developed country members. They also made commitments to help 10 million African cotton growers by eliminating subsidies to their own cotton-growing industry by the end of this year.

Hong Kong, as the conference host, has also shown to the world its status as a free-trade economy and has discharged its responsibilities as a world citizen, he added.

Mr Tsang said all efforts were made during the conference period to keep inconvenience to the public and shop owners in Wan Chai to a minimum. Police also showed they were highly professional when handling protests.