CE urges to liberalise trade and investment at APEC talks (with photos/videos)

CE urges to liberalise trade and investment at APEC talks (with photos/videos)
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     The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, said today (October 7) that promoting liberalisation of trade and investment is crucial to the prospects for a full and sustainable recovery of the global economy during the 21st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) in Bali, Indonesia.

     Mr Leung started the day at the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue to discuss recommendations set out in the 2013 ABAC Annual Report to APEC Leaders, including fostering the development of small, medium and micro-enterprises, encouraging infrastructure and development as well as accelerating regional financial market integration.

     At the AELM Retreat in the afternoon, leaders deliberated on APEC's role in strengthening the multilateral trading system.

     At the meeting, Mr Leung urged the APEC member economies to advance the current World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations in a proactive and constructive manner, with a view to delivering concrete outcomes at the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in December. This will bring new energy to the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, and restore the confidence of the global economy in the multilateral trading system.

     The Chief Executive also attended the closing session of the APEC CEO Summit in the late afternoon, during which President Xi Jinping delivered his keynote speech.

     The Chief Executive will join other economic leaders for another session of the AELM Retreat and the Leaders' Working Lunch tomorrow. He will return to Hong Kong tomorrow evening.

Ends/Monday, October 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:22

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