2
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1994
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IMEN)
HE WAS REFERRING TO THE MOST FAVOURED NATION OF EQUAL TREATMENT FOR ALL AND "NATIONAL TREATMENT " THE WHICH REQUIRES IMPORTS TO BE TREATED ON THE SAME BASIS GOODS AND SERVICES,
PRINCIPLE PRINCIPLE
AS LOCAL
MR CHAU EXPLAINED THAT HONG KONG HAD DECIDED NOT TO STON THE GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED AMONG ONLY 13 PARTIES IN PARALLEL TO THE URUGUAY ROUND BECAUSE IT BRIACHED THOSE FUNDAHENTAL PRINCIPLES.
"WE ARE ONE OF 12 SIGNATORIES то THE PRESENT AGREEMENT AND WERE A KEEN PARTICIPANT IN THE NEGOTIATIONS TO EXPAND THE AGREEMENT AND REFINE ITS DISCIPLINES, HE SAID.
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AND
SECTORAL
"MOST REGRETTABLY, AFTER YEARS OF DISCUSSION BRINGING UN STEADILY CLOSER TO THAT GOAL, RECIPROCITY NON-APPLICATION PROVISIONS WERE INTRODUCED IN THE CLOSING STAGES OF
THE NEGOTIATIONS.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG HAD DECIDED THAT IT COULD NOT SIGN A FLAWED AGREEMENT.
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SUCH
*HONG KONG HOPES THAT (TS DECISION TO STAND BY THRSE PRINCIPLES WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO RESIST EROSION OF MEN,' HE SAID.
NR CHAR KMPHASISED THAT ALTHOUGH HONG KONG HAD DECIDED NOT TO SIGN THE NEW GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND OTHER PUBLIC BODIES HAD ALWAYS MAINTAINED OPEN AND NON- DISCRIMINATORY PUBLIC PROCUREMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DO S0.
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HE ALSO SPOKE OF ISSUES THAT THE NEW WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION WOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER, INCLUDING THE INTERFACK BETWEEN TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AS WELL. AS THE RELATIONSHIP HETWEEN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND COMPETITION POLICY.
г.
"HONG KONG LOOKS FORWARD TO ENGAGING CONSTRUCTIVELY IN THE DISCUSSION, H& SAID. "BUT WE MUS) ALL BF WARY OF PROTECTIONISTS HIDING BEHIND THE WORTHY MOTIVES OF OTHERS. WE MUST NOT ALLOW TRADE MEASURES TO BE USED TO ACHIEVE NON-TRADE OBJECTIVES.
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MR CHAU EXPLAINKO THAT THE CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND WAS NOT AN END BUT A BROINNING.
"PROTECTIONISM IS NOT DEAD. BARRIERS TO TRADE STILL EXIST. HAS NOT SUDDENLY GONE OUT OF FASHION, HE SAID,
NIN
·
"OUR COLLECTIVE SUCCESS OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS HAS BEEN To DEVELOP A MONENTÙM FOR CHANGE. WE MUST WORK HARD TO MAINTAIN THAT MOMENTUM
LOWERING TRADE KARRIERS, SCRUTINISING TRADE POLICY, OPPOSING VOLUNTARY EXPORT RESTRAINTS AND OTHER 'GREY AREA' MEASURES, ENFORCING THE RULES WE HAVE ALI AGREED UPON.
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MR CHAU CONCLUDED HIS REMARKS BY FMPHASISING THE WHICH HONG KONG ATTACHED TO THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.
IMPORTANCE
/"HONG KONG