Press Releases

Government invites views on Non-agricultural Market Access Negotiations in the WTO
Monday, July 15, 2002

The Government is inviting views from the public on Hong Kong, China's position on non-agricultural market access (NAMA) negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Through multilateral negotiations, the WTO aims at reaching legally enforceable agreements on global trade liberalisation. WTO Members are embarking on a new round of negotiations.  For trade in goods, Members will engage in negotiations to reduce or as appropriate eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers. This will maximise the markets opportunities for traders. Members are expected to first decide the modalities for such negotiations by mid-2003 and commence negotiations afterwards with a view to concluding them before 2005.

In order that the Government can better assess the interests of our business community and formulate our position in the negotiations accordingly, it is seeking views regarding any non-agricultural products/sectors where our traders have encountered significant tariff and/or non-tariff barriers in overseas markets, or positive undertakings from our trading partners that trader consider beneficial to them. Comment on the general strategy that the Government may adopt in the negotiations will also be appreciated.

Any views from the public may be addressed to the Regional Cooperation Division of the Trade and Industry Department by 15 August 2002. Views can be sent by email to rcregistry@tid.gov.hk or by fax to 2787 7799.

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