The APEC timetable

The APEC timetable

It is heartening to note that APEC member countries have
generally geared up to move one step forward at liberalizing
trade between themselves.

At the third summit in Osaka later this year, the 18-country
organization is expected to make the first decisions on
preferential trading, investment regulations and a number of
other matters.

Member countries must renew their commitment towards the 2010
and 2020 targets. Economic linkages in the Americas and Europe
have made it more urgent for Asia-Pacific countries to speed up
efforts to liberalize trade in the region.

What needs to be done now is for members to resolve their
differences over the manner trade liberalization will be carried
out.

-- Berita Harian, Singapore