Putrajaya Vision 2040 to feature prominently at 27th Apec trade ministers' meeting, says Miti

PETALING JAYA: The Apec Putrajaya Vision 2040 will feature prominently during the 27th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) meeting on Saturday (June 5), says the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).

“The Apec Putrajaya Vision 2040, a long-term aspiration document architectured by Malaysia and launched by Apec leaders in 2020, will feature prominently in the discussion.

“Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Azmin Ali, who is leading the Malaysian delegation at the meeting, will assure Malaysia’s full support in advancing the work of APEC in accomplishing APEC 2021 key deliverable that is the comprehensive implementation plan for the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, ” said Miti in a statement on Saturday.

The meeting, hosted by New Zealand, will see trade ministers from 21 Apec countries discussing collective efforts for economic recovery during the pandemic.

Miti also stated that Mohd Azmin is expected to share Malaysia’s views in optimising policy tools for uninterrupted flow of trade and services, including equitable access to and sustainable supply chain of Covid-19 vaccines.

The first ministerial meeting to be hosted by New Zealand as host of Apec 2021, will be chaired by its Minister of Trade and Export Growth, Damien O’Connor.

Miti said that the newly appointed World Trade Organisation (WTO) director-general Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would also be addressing the meeting.

“For Apec 2021, New Zealand has chosen the theme “Haumi ē, Hui ē, Tāiki ē; Join. Work. Grow. Together”.

“Key priorities for Apec 2021 are economic and trade policies that strengthen recovery; increasing inclusion and sustainability for recovery; and pursuing innovation and a digitally-enabled recovery.

“The 27th MRT meeting will focus on the role trade can play in defeating Covid-19, and the importance of maintaining an open trade in recovering from the economic crisis.

Mohd Azmin chaired the MRT meeting last year when Malaysia hosted Apec 2020.

The meeting, according to Miti will also discuss the upcoming 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) to be held later this year.