XN000022-1996-04-23 — Page 7

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Mr Miller set out Hong Kong's agenda for the WTO Ministerial Conference in a speech to the American Chamber of Commerce last Friday,

Hong Kong wants to set a bold target for free flows of goods, services and investment world-wide and to agree to work together in building the political momentum needed to realise it. Hong Kong suggests to commence an immediate review of the rules to ensure they are relevant in today's global economy and to use liberalisation to spread prosperity by seeking ways to help the least developed economies pass the take-off point.

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The Congress' other five panel discussions will focus on the merit of free trade, the present and future agenda of the WTO, the regional trade arrangements and the future of the multilateral system as well as the practical implications of the post-GATT order, and look at the role of ASEAN in the 21st century.

The Congress will be opened by the Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong and the Singapore Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Yeo Cheow Tong will deliver a closing address.

In addition to business leaders, academics and senior trade officials from WTO member economies. senior dignitaries attending and addressing the Congress will include Mr Renato Ruggiero, Director-General of the WTO, Mr Donald Johnston, the Secretary-General Designate of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mr Rubens Ricupero, Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and Mr Edgardo Boeninger, Chairman of the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council (PECC).

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DDGT to attend final telecommunications negotiations

The Deputy Director-General of Trade, Mr Tam Wing-pong, will leave for Geneva today (Tuesday) to attend the final round of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)'s extended negotiations on basic telecommunications services.

Mr Tam, who will team up with the Director-General of Telecommunications, Mr Alex Arena, of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority, will join 36 other WTO members, including the United States, Canada. Japan, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, in the negotiations before the deadline of April 30.