WITH the world at last pulling out of recession, the 21 economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) can finally stop firefighting and make plans for the future.
So when Apec leaders meet in Singapore next week, they will not be discussing emergency measures like stimulus spending and getting banks to lend to trading companies.
Rather, they will be talking about how the grouping - which includes economic powerhouses like the United States, China, Japan and Russia - can better integrate their markets and boost economic growth for all.
Such longer-term issues will top the agenda when Singapore hosts the leaders' summit for the first time in Apec's 20-year history, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a media briefing at the Istana on Tuesday.
In fact, the theme of next week's meeting - 'sustaining growth, connecting the region' - was carefully chosen, he added.
Although Apec economies want to go for growth, they need to make sure that this growth is balanced, inclusive and sustainable, said Mr Lee.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times
fiochan@sph.com.sg
