Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

The PM made the statement at the opening ceremony of the 23rd meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum on May 20 in Ha Noi.

The 23^rd MRT, attracting the participation of ministers responsible for trade and senior officials from 21 APEC member economies, is one of the most crucial meetings within the APEC.

In his speech, PM Phuc referred to strong affects of the fourth industrial revolution on people’s lives and its challenges on economics, culture and society, asking member economies of the APEC  to strengthen economic and technology cooperation, share information and experience in policy-making and realizing cooperative programs and projects to increase effectiveness and create the distinguished difference of the APEC cooperation with the aim of establishing a connected Asia-Pacific region.

He highlighted the achievements, role and contributions of Viet Nam since its participation in the APEC in 1998.

He expected that the meeting will organize positive, realistic and effective discussions, focusing on reviewing the process of implementing priorities of APEC 2017 and approve initiatives proposed by its member economies before they will be reported to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2017.

At the first session of the meeting, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh suggested economies in the APEC maintain their pioneering roles in enhancing economic and technical cooperation for further development and prosperity.

He talked about obstacles and challenges facing the APEC economies, and stressed the need to promote multi-lateral cooperation to launch synchronous policies for supporting the economic development.

The two-day meeting is expected to propose contents to create new cooperative frameworks of the APEC, heading to fulfill the  Bogor Goals by 2020 and other visions of the APEC in the future.