No economy can hope to be self-sufficient; trade flows should stay free and open: S'pore PM at Apec

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attends the first session of the day at the 29th Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting, on Nov 18, 2022. - MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION

BANGKOK (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that no economy has any hope of being entirely self-sufficient, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (Nov 18), as he called for continued free and open trade flows even amid a growing desire to on-shore production.

With the global economic outlook continuing to be uncertain, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) members must work together to promote sustainable and inclusive growth, he told fellow leaders at the 29th Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok.