On January 4, 2006, Mr. Kamal Nath, Minister of Commerce & Industry, wrote to all Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors of States and Union Territories, apprising them of the key outcomes of the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference held in Hong Kong, on December 13-18, 2005. The objectives of the Hong Kong Ministerial were not very ambitious; it was meant to take stock of the ongoing WTO negotiations and to provide further political guidance. From India's perspective, the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration addresses our core concerns and interests and provides us enough negotiating space for future work leading up to modalities, the Minister wrote. The Declaration envisages that the negotiations must be concluded in 2006 and establishes time-lines and targets in specific negotiating areas. Among other issues, in Agriculture and Non-Agricultural (i.e. industrial goods) Market Access (NAMA), it has been agreed that the modalities are to be established by 30 April 2006 and comprehensive draft schedules submitted by 31 July 2006. In Services, a second round of revised offers would be tabled by 31 July 2006 and final draft schedules submitted by 31 October
areas.