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The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Boracay, the Philippines today (May 23).
On the sidelines of the MRT Meeting, Mr So met with the Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr Wang Shouwen, to discuss issues of mutual interest. Mr So also held bilateral meetings with the Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, Mr Gregory Domingo, and the Minister of International Trade of Canada, Mr Edward Fast, respectively to exchange views on APEC major agendas and bilateral trade relations. Mr So also met with the Minister of Commerce of Thailand, General Chatchai Sarikulya, on the margins.
During the MRT Meeting, trade ministers from APEC member economies discussed the priorities for APEC this year under the theme "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World". The priorities are (i) enhancing the regional economic integration agenda; (ii) fostering small and medium enterprises’ participation in regional and global markets; (iii) investing in human capital development; and (iv) building sustainable and resilient communities. Ministers also exchanged views on how APEC could support the multilateral trading system and resist protectionism.
Mr So will continue to join the MRT Meeting tomorrow (May 24).
Ends/Saturday, May 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:49
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