Vietnam ready to cooperate with APEC members to respond to COVID-19 challenges
(VOVWORLD) - APEC member economies should continue free and open trade and investment activities and realize initiatives for the smooth operation of regional goods and service supply chains, and facilitate the circulation of essential goods.
 Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien delivers a speech from Hanoi. (Photo: Tran Viet/VNA) |
Addressing the 27th APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting held online on Saturday, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien called on APEC members to be united and determined to maintain free and open trade and investment and increase regional economic integration to ensure the bloc's leading role in the Asia-Pacific.
According to Minister Dien, against the current social distancing due to the COVID-19 epidemic, APEC needs to strengthen cooperation in innovation, e-commerce, and the Internet, ensure the infrastructure for digital connection, and improve digital capacity for businesses and human resources, especially the vulnerable groups such as women and people with disabilities.
Mr. Dien insisted Vietnam’s support for APEC cooperation to secure the supply and production of vaccines, and minimize barriers on intellectual property, and enhance information sharing and transfer of vaccine production technology.
He affirmed that Vietnam is ready to cooperate with other APEC member economies to respond to COVID-19 challenges and jointly design a post-pandemic economic recovery plan for businesses to develop towards maintaining social security.