Vietnam's vice foreign minister has called on delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Hanoi to do more to bring down trade barriers and ensure that poorer nations benefit from freer trade.
Speaking at the opening of the weeklong annual event today, Le Cong Phung urged APEC delegates to work together.
APEC organizers hope the discussions among the group's 21 members will help revive World Trade Organization negotiations stalled by disputes between rich and poor nations, mainly over agricultural subsidies.
The meeting will also tackle the pirating of copyrighted goods, and a U.S.-backed plan to set up a vast free trade zone across the Pacific Ocean. The idea has sparked concern from some members who worry that businesses in poorer countries might not be able to compete with those in richer economies.
