Chilean official voices hope for free trade, regional integration
APEC plays a key role in trade liberalisation and facilitation and should maintain its position by stepping up measures to implement the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, said Paulina Nazal, Director General of International Economic Affairs at Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A discussion of the Vietnam Business Summit in Da Nang city on November 7, part of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders' Week (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – APEC playsa key role in trade liberalisation and facilitation and should maintain itsposition by stepping up measures to implement the Free Trade Area of theAsia-Pacific, said Paulina Nazal, Director General of International EconomicAffairs at Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In an interview with Vietnam NewsAgency, the Chilean official noted that Chile hopes that the APEC 2017 EconomicLeaders’ Week will send a clear signal of APEC’s commitment to free trade andregional integration, along with support for multilateral trading.
Nazal also expressed her hope that duringthe week, there will be dialogues on sustainable development, challenges of thedigital era, integration of micro- and medium-sized enterprises, women’s rolein trade, restructuring for economic development and discussion on the APEC visionbeyond 2020.
Regarding the possibility that the 11countries participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership will reach a new freetrade agreement after the US’s withdrawal, Nazal said it will be a chance toaffirm their commitment to free trade.
On the upcoming visit of ChileanPresident Michelle Bachelet to Vietnam, the two sides will discuss bilateralcooperation and progress of the negotiation of Vietnam - Chile free tradeagreement, she stated.
🎶 As Chile will host APEC 2019, thecountry has closely followed major proposals and results of APEC this year, shesaid.-VNA
President of Chile Michelle Bachelet Jeria is going to pay a State visit to Vietnam from November 8 to 9, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Vietnam became a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum 19 years ago, an important milestone in the implementation of the Party and State’s external policies of expansion, diversification and multilateralisation of relations and international economic integration.
President of Chile Michelle Bachelet will pay a State visit to Vietnam from November 8 to 9 at the invitation of her Vietnamese counterpart Tran Dai Quang, a trip expected to intensify the two countries’ partnership.
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In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
A discussion of the Vietnam Business Summit in Da Nang city on November 7, part of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders' Week (Photo: VNA) 
