Apec looks to pact to revive growthMr Jurin gives a keynote address at the symposium for FTAAP, the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) trade ministers have high hopes for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), believing that the long-delayed pact can help revitalise their economies battered by the pandemic. Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, who chaired the Apec Ministers Responsible for Trade's meeting in Bangkok on Thursday, said the FTAAP tops the agenda for the four-day meeting as Apec members want to use the pact to help revive their economies following the pandemic. Apec aims to conclude the talks on FTAAP, which would be the world's biggest free trade agreement, by 2040, he said. FTAAP first appeared in the joint statement of Apec trade ministers in 2008.

Source: Bangkok Post May 20, 2022 05:09 UTC