Chilean official voices hope for free trade, regional integration
Hanoi (VNA) – APEC plays
a key role in trade liberalisation and facilitation and should maintain its
position by stepping up measures to implement the Free Trade Area of the
Asia-Pacific, said Paulina Nazal, Director General of International Economic
Affairs at Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In an interview with Vietnam News
Agency, the Chilean official noted that Chile hopes that the APEC 2017 Economic
Leaders’ Week will send a clear signal of APEC’s commitment to free trade and
regional integration, along with support for multilateral trading.
Nazal also expressed her hope that during
the week, there will be dialogues on sustainable development, challenges of the
digital era, integration of micro- and medium-sized enterprises, women’s role
in trade, restructuring for economic development and discussion on the APEC vision
beyond 2020.
Regarding the possibility that the 11
countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership will reach a new free
trade agreement after the US’s withdrawal, Nazal said it will be a chance to
affirm their commitment to free trade.
On the upcoming visit of Chilean
President Michelle Bachelet to Vietnam, the two sides will discuss bilateral
cooperation and progress of the negotiation of Vietnam - Chile free trade
agreement, she stated.
As Chile will host APEC 2019, the
country has closely followed major proposals and results of APEC this year, she
said.-VNA