Media Release
9 November 2009
APEC Ministerial Meeting in Singapore
The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, departs today to join his regional counterparts and APEC Foreign Ministers at the 21st APEC Ministerial Meeting in Singapore.
The meeting comes at a crucial time with emerging signs of a global economic recovery.
“Australia is committed to helping APEC to maximise its contribution to the region’s economic recovery,” Mr Crean said.
“The global recession has underlined the importance of APEC’s work on structural economic reform. Tackling behind the border barriers to trade and investment is critical to the development of efficient, resilient and robust economies.”
“APEC is the leading forum for cooperation and action on economic issues in the region,” Mr Crean said.
Singapore is one of the founding members of APEC and this year has put the focus on improving logistics in the region.
This year APEC is celebrating its 20th anniversary and this will be the 21st meeting of APEC economies.
Mr Crean said APEC remained an important voice and catalyst for momentum in concluding the Doha Round.
“The APEC Ministerial Meeting brings together key players in the negotiation and will be an important lead-up to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva later this month,” he said.
APEC will provide an important opportunity for Mr Crean to have bilateral meetings with key players in the Doha Round.
APEC economies account for 56 per cent of world GDP and 44 per cent of world trade.
More than two-thirds of Australia’s total trade in goods and services is with APEC economies.
Media Inquiries:
- Mr Crean's office: Clinton Porteous 0403 369 588
- Departmental
Media Liaison 02 6261 1555