The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, continued to attend the 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, on February 29 (Abu Dhabi time).
Speaking at the session on e-commerce, Mr Yau said that e-commerce is rapidly developing and has become a key driving force for global trade and economic growth, highlighting the importance of maintaining an enabling environment for international e-commerce to flourish.
Noting that the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission has played a pivotal role in underpinning the stability and predictability for e-commerce in the past quarter century, Mr Yau reaffirmed Hong Kong's strong support for the extension of the moratorium, and called on WTO members to answer the calls of the global business community to ensure a predictable and tariff-free environment for the continued development and prosperity of digital trade.
Meanwhile, Mr Yau held a bilateral meeting with the Federal Minister of Labour and Economy of Austria, Dr Martin Kocher, to exchange views on issues of mutual interests on the sidelines of the MC13.
After attending the MC13, Mr Yau will proceed to Manama, Bahrain on March 2.
Follow this news feed: East Asia