APEC ministerial meeting begins

Economic ministers from 21 Pacific Rim countries are meeting in Hawaii on Friday for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

This year, the forum's main issue is to discuss concrete measures toward regional economic integration. The measures will include rules against exclusion of foreign firms from contracts for government procurement and strengthened protection of intellectual property to encourage firms to further engage in international business.

From Japan, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and Economic, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano are attending the meeting.

Japan is expected to express its commitment to begin discussions with other countries in preparation for its participation in TPP free trade talks.

It is also expected to state its readiness to contribute to the APEC region's economic integration by speeding up the building of a free trade area with China, South Korea, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN.

Ministers of APEC members will issue a joint statement at the end of the meeting.

Saturday, November 12, 2011 07:37 +0900 (JST)