The logo of APEC Vietnam 2017Singapore (VNA) – As the host of the APEC Year 2017,Vietnam should have a stronger voice to promote globalisation and connectivityamong APEC members, thereby fostering trade liberalisation and bringing growthto all people.
The remark was made by Chairman of the SingaporeNational Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation Tan Khee Giap at a meetingof the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council in Singapore on February 13.
APEC, comprising 21 economies, holds a big rolein promoting trade and investment and contributing to the common growth andprosperity, as well as poverty reduction in the region, he said, adding thatVietnam has made active contributions to this process.
Sharing the same view, Chairman of the VietnamNational Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation Vo Tri Thanh said the roleof APEC is not eroded amidst the resurgence of protectionism but enhanced sinceright in this context. There is an even stronger need for APEC to strengthenintegration and connectivity in the region.
Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Lim HngKiang said though it is still far from the target of trade liberalisation, theAPEC member economies need to continue economic integration and consider this atop priority.
The realisation of a Free Trade Area of theAsia-Pacific (FTAAP) should remain a key in APEC’s agenda to boost regionaleconomic integration and help to reach the trade liberalisation target, hesaid.
He suggested the member economies invest more ineducation and training to improve labourers’ skills, strongly implementincentives to support micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises which make upmore than 97 percent of the total businesses and 50 percent of the workforce inAPEC, and create more favourable conditions for e-commerce.
At the meeting, Vietnam’s Deputy ForeignMinister Bui Thanh Son said as the host of APEC activities in 2017, Vietnamworked with other members to discuss issues based on the four pillars of APECand reached high consensus.
Regarding the first APEC senior officials’meeting slated for early March in Nha Trang city, Vietnam thoroughly preparedproposals and incentives to be scrutinised, including the enhancement ofregional economic connectivity; the promotion of sustainable, creative andinclusive growth; support to SMEs; and the building of sustainable agriculturein response to climate change.
Vietnam will play a leading role in contributingto APEC through persisting with reform and intensive international integration,he noted.-VNA
VNA
