WTO Ministerial Section • Volume 7 • Number 9 • 28th August 2003
Hong Kong To Host Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference
In a notification circulated to WTO members on 25 August, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, John Tsang, announced his government’s offer to host the sixth WTO Ministerial conference. “Hosting the conference will ensure Hong Kong’s involvement in the key events leading up to the sixth ministerial conference and enhance our involvement in all key negotiations, Tsang said. “It will also serve as a strong vote of confidence by the international community in Hong Kong as we recover from the SARS outbreak,” he added. The timing of the event, which is expected to take place in late 2004 or early 2005, will depend on the progress made in the Doha Round of trade talks in Cancun and beyond. An interim ministerial meeting may gather early next year, most likely in Geneva, in order to address any outstanding matters arising from the Cancun meeting, including finalising modalities for negotiations on agriculture and market access for non-agricultural goods — originally due to be completed last spring. However, according to trade diplomats, Swiss officials have expressed reserve about holding an interim ministerial conference because of security concerns and lack of time to prepare for the event. Tsang assured that, if Hong Kong’s offer was accepted, the city would be in a position to manage the conference properly. The event would bring about 8,000 visitors and 180 governments, contributing around HK $100 million to Hong Kong’s tourist receipts, and costing HK $250 million to $300 million.
”Hong Kong Publicly Confirms Bid to Host Ministerial; Early ‘04 Interim Meeting Eyed,” WTO REPORTER, 27 August; “Hong Kong Bids To Host WTO Ministerial Meeting,” DOW JONES, 27 August 2003; “HK looks to host WTO conference,” NEWS.GOV.HK, 7 July 2003.