Hong Kong will press for an Apec proposal to scrap tariffs on information technology products to be widened to include the abolition of all 'nuisance' tariffs among member economies.
Director-General of Trade Alan Lai Nin said a package of measures would ensure that all members, rather than only high-technology exporters, benefit from the measures.
The proposal to remove tariffs by 2000 received the broad support of members of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum at talks between senior officials at the weekend.
It was first tabled by the United States and is now virtually assured of the backing of Apec's 18 member economies at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Singapore in December.
Mr Lai said: 'The idea generally received good support. But there were varying degrees of enthusiasm.' He said there had to be a clearer definition of which products were to included and more discussion on implementing a tariff phase-out.
'The US proposals are not clear on which products should be included. Some members think it should be across the board. Others only want high-technology, while others want all technology products.
'Hong Kong supports the principle but wants the coverage of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) to be broadened. We are also seeking the removal of all nuisance tariffs.' He defined 'nuisance' tariffs as charges of about 2 or 3 per cent which had no clear objective but which imposed unnecessary costs on traders.