Vietnam, as the host of APEC 2017, will maintain the consistence of priorities in the year, said Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc.

Delivering a speech at a workshop held by the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, the US on January 20 (Vietnam time), Loc said that Vietnam’s priorities during the year include  supporting trade liberalisation and opposing protectionism; enhancing regional connectivity in both basic infrastructure and institution; promoting sustainable and inclusive growth; and assisting small and medium enterprises and women’s involvement in economic development.

The country will foster agricultural development, climate change adaptation, natural resources management and sustainable development in urban areas as well as ensure energy security and effective labour force. 

Vietnam will work with financial ministers from APEC member economies to develop markets and provide financial assistance for private enterprises, Loc said. 

Speeches delivered at the forum focused on analysing benefits brought by trade liberalisation, and risks from the new US administration’s application of trade protection policy. They also predicted the future of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. 

Anyway, Vietnam will still pursue trade liberalisation, Loc affirmed. 

According to Monica Hardy Whaley, Executive Director of the National Centre of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (NCAPEC), APEC 2017 will bring many opportunities to Vietnamese enterprises to promote investment and trade links .

The event will also offer a good chance for other APEC economies to learn from development experience of Vietnam – one of economies boasting the highest growth in the region.

VNA