Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Henry Tang Saturday hoped that ministers at the WTO 6th Ministerial Conference would agree on a platform on which the final stage of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations will be based, making the conference a success.

This is essential for achieving the goal of successfully concluding the negotiations by the end of 2006, he added.

Speaking on a radio talk show, Tang said a draft Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration has been prepared for WTO members' discussion next week. It sets out the crucial elements under the five key negotiating items of the Doha Development Agenda and ministers will decide, among other things, whether more elements could be agreed.

Tang stressed that hosting the conference can underline the successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong as well as the autonomy the city enjoys in trade and economic matters.

Source: Xinhua