Hong Kong industry chief John Tsang said the World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting could settle vital duty-free, trade-quota, health care and aid issues without having to solve disputes holding up wider trade talks.

"I want to push forward a development package comprising issues that are close to fruition -- put it out before waiting for the end of the round to create an environment of comfort for everyone," Tsang said in an interview with AFP.

"This is after all a development round and if we aren't able to do something significant in development it really becomes meaningless," he said.

Tsang will preside over the December 13-18 Sixth Ministerial Conference, which aims to bring the Doha round of trade talks launched in Qatar in 2001 close to conclusion.

The round, which must be completed by the end of next year, seeks to establish rules that reduce barriers to global trade to alleviate poverty in developing countries.

But talks have bogged down over cuts in subsidies to farmers in rich countries, which economists say distort global trade and prevent poorer farmers accessing developed markets.

While Tsang conceded a lot more work was needed to ensure a trade deal went through, he said a development deal was within negotiators' grasp.

"What I want to bring up as an early harvest of sorts is to give some of those issues that are very close to fruition an extra push and get them out of the way," he added.

A number of governments who oppose cutting farm subsidies have sought to deflect criticism by pushing for deals on development issues.

Tsang poured scorn on such tactics, saying development deals should not be used as "bargaining chips".