41.   The ministers also hope to reach consensus on other thorny issues, including agriculture, transparency in government purchases of goods and services, investments and competition questions.

42.   The most pressing issue revolves around opening up Japanese government purchases of US telecommunications and medical equipment.

43.   The ministers also hope to reach a consensus on other thorny issues, including agriculture, transparency in government purchases of goods and services, investments and competition questions.

44.   The official also said the two sides expected to reach agremeent on boosting Japanese government purchases of foreign computers next week.