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DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE TO JOIN GATT MEETING

MR

THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR CHAU TAK-HAY, LEFT TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) FOR BRUSSELS TO JOIN THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, JOHN CHAN, FOR THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE MINISTERIAL MEETING TO CONCLUDE THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.

"WE EXPECT TO WORK LONG DAYS AND NIGHTS IN BRUSSELS," MR CHAU SAID ON DEPARTURE.

"AFTER FOUR YEARS OF NEGOTIATIONS, SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES STILL PERSIST IN A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS, INCLUDING TEXTILES, SAFEGUARDS, ANTI-DUMPING AND TRADE IN SERVICES. THESE AREAS ARE OF MAJOR INTEREST TO HONG KONG,

"AS PROGRESS IN THE VARIOUS AREAS IS LINKED, POLITICAL WILL AND FLEXIBILITY BY THE MAJOR TRADING NATIONS ARE CRUCIAL TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION OF THE ROUND AT BRUSSELS," HE SAID.

STARTING FROM DECEMBER 3, MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM 107 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WILL BE EXPECTED TO SPEND A GRUELLING WEEK HAMMERING OUT A PACKAGE WHICH WILL HELP TO BREAK DOWN TRADE BARRIERS AND STRENGTHEN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.

THE ROUND COVERS 15 NEGOTIATING AREAS, RANGING FROM AGRICULTURAL REFORMS TO LIBERALISATION OF TRADE IN SERVICES.

BY THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO THE BRUSSELS MEETING IS LED

HONG CHAN, WHO WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR CHAU AND

PERMANENT KONG'S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GATT, MR KEITH BROADBRIDGE,

WELL AS OTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

MR

AS

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FC MEETING ON FRIDAY

THE

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FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY

(NOVEMBER 30) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.

THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.

MAKE

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE'S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER'S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.

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