Tran Tuan Anh, Minister of Industry and Trade and MRT 23 Chair speaks at a press conference after the closing session of the MRT 23. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The 23rd APECMinisters Responsible for Trade Meeting (MRT 23) wrapped up in Hanoi on May 21after two working days, producing practical outcomes that contribute toboosting the process of realizing APEC Year 2017’s themes and priorities, andlaying the foundation for the next steps towards the APEC Economic Leaders’Week in November.
Tran Tuan Anh, Ministerof Industry and Trade and MRT 23 Chair made the remarks at a press conferenceafter the closing session of the MRT 23, the first Ministerial Meeting of the APECYear 2017 and the only of its kind held in Hanoi.
He said at the meeting,delegates voiced their strong support for the necessity of maintaining APEC’srole as a driving force of regional economic growth and connectivity, and anincubator of ideas for regional cooperation and connectivity as well as for theprosperity of Asia-Pacific.
Delegates also agreed to continue working for thecompletion of the Bogor Goals on trade liberalization and investment in 2020.
The Minister further said the meeting demonstratesAPEC's determination to continue building a sustainable, transparent,multilateral trading system, taking law as an important base and foundation forinternational trade.
It also represents APEC’s support of the 11th WTO Ministers Meeting to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in December thisyear, he added.
The Minister also informed that the meeting reviewedthe development of several initiatives and priorities during the APEC 2017, includingthe further implementation of the Lima Declaration on the Asia-Pacific FreeTrade Area, the development of a cross-border e-commerce facilitation framework;supporting industry initiatives; the draft of an action plan on economic,financial and social promotion in the APEC region.
The ministers also examined the building of the APECFramework for Human Resource Development in the digital age and the APEC visionfor the post-2020 era, which will be submitted to the 29th APEC MinisterialMeeting and the 25th Economic Leaders’ Meeting for approval.
On thesidelines of the meeting, several events were held, including the APECApp Challenge to help SMEs participate more actively in the regional market andan international symposium on the trade and innovation with the participationof Ministers and representatives of the business community in the region, headded.
The meeting also adopted a Chair Statement, theMinister said.-VNA
