7
Mr Tsang said the economic leaders are expected to exchange views on the challenges facing APEC in ensuring the long-term prosperity of the region and on what they should do to meet these challenges.
"Each APEC leader will also present at Osaka some concrete actions that his economy has taken or will take towards achieving the free trade goal," he said.
Mr Tsang will visit Tokyo after attending the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting and return to Hong Kong on Wednesday (November 22).
End/Friday, November 17, 1995
APEC ministers agree on ambitious draft Action Agenda
The Secretary for Trade and Industry, Mr T H Chau, said he was delighted that the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) ministers have agreed on an ambitious and comprehensive draft Action Agenda for submission to economic leaders.
Mr Chau, who was representing Hong Kong at the Seventh APEC Ministerial Meeting held on November 16 to 17 in Osaka, Japan, made the remark upon the conclusion of the meeting today (Friday).
Details on the draft Action Agenda will be announced after the Economic Leaders Meeting on November 19.
At the Ministerial Meeting, Mr Chau also called upon APEC members to re- affirm, in a practical way, their commitment to open regionalism and to strengthening the multilateral system.
He suggested two ways in which members could do this.
"We must challenge the world by leading the way in the rapid removal of all barriers and impediments to regional trade and investment. If we have the collective courage to accelerate the pace of change, others will follow," said Mr Chau.
"At the same time we must set an example in reducing trade tensions. We urge members to steer away from bilateral confrontation and insistence on reciprocity, and steer back toward multilateral co-operation." he added.