SINGAPORE - Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang will be attending the 10th World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial conference in Nairobi, Kenya, from Dec 15-18.

Ministers and officials from over 160 member states are expected to attend the event, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said in a press release on Monday (Dec 14).

It marks the first WTO ministerial conference to be held in Africa and is also the 20th anniversary of WTO's establishment, said MTI.

Ministers will discuss issues related to the Doha Development Agenda negotiations. This is the latest round of trade negotiations among the WTO members, aimed at lowering trade barriers around the world, thus facilitating increased global trade.

The ministers this week will also discuss regular WTO work in areas such as electronic commerce and trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights.

MTI said the WTO is the cornerstone of Singapore's trade policy, with its rules-based multilateral trading system enabling trade to flow freely and predictably, which is essential for a trading nation such as Singapore.

While in Kenya, Mr Lim will also call on Kenyan cabinet secretaries and meet with Kenyan companies to discuss developments in Kenya's economy and opportunities in sectors such as transport & logistics, urban solutions and agribusiness.

He will be accompanied by officials from MTI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney-General's Chambers.