A discussion of the Vietnam Business Summit in Da Nang city on November 7, part of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders' Week (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – APEC playsa key role in trade liberalisation and facilitation and should maintain itsposition by stepping up measures to implement the Free Trade Area of theAsia-Pacific, said Paulina Nazal, Director General of International EconomicAffairs at Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In an interview with Vietnam NewsAgency, the Chilean official noted that Chile hopes that the APEC 2017 EconomicLeaders’ Week will send a clear signal of APEC’s commitment to free trade andregional integration, along with support for multilateral trading.
Nazal also expressed her hope that duringthe week, there will be dialogues on sustainable development, challenges of thedigital era, integration of micro- and medium-sized enterprises, women’s rolein trade, restructuring for economic development and discussion on the APEC visionbeyond 2020.
Regarding the possibility that the 11countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership will reach a new freetrade agreement after the US’s withdrawal, Nazal said it will be a chance toaffirm their commitment to free trade.
On the upcoming visit of ChileanPresident Michelle Bachelet to Vietnam, the two sides will discuss bilateralcooperation and progress of the negotiation of Vietnam - Chile free tradeagreement, she stated.
As Chile will host APEC 2019, thecountry has closely followed major proposals and results of APEC this year, shesaid.-VNA
