(VOVworld)-APEC is still a distance away from achieving its goal of free and open trade, but economic integration should continue to remain the 21-member forum's priority, Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry, Lim Hng Kiang, said on Monday. Lim told the 2017 Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC)-Singapore Conference that APEC's vision was to promote growth through greater economic cooperation and integration across the Asia-Pacific region. The realization of the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) should continue to be key to APEC's agenda as the FTAAP embodies APEC's original vision for regional economic integration and contributes to the realization of free and open trade, he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the event, Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son stressed that whether APEC Year 2017 would succeed or whether APEC could benefit each member economy depend on the contributions of all member countries. As the host of APEC Year 2017, Vietnam will serve as the driving force by pursuing reform and international integration, Son added.