IT HAS been criticised as being nothing more than a 'talk shop', but the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) grouping is doing its best to shed that image.

When Apec ministers meet in Singapore next week, they will set out to meet tangible targets on lofty issues such as free trade and regional integration, said Mr Ravi Menon, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and chair of the Apec Senior Officials Meetings.

Senior officials, finance ministers, and trade and foreign ministers from each of Apec's 21 economies will hold a series of meetings over the week starting Sunday to discuss the three broad items on Apec's agenda this year.

These are: stepping up regional economic integration, supporting free trade and resisting protectionism, and laying the ground for stronger and more lasting growth in the Asia-Pacific, Mr Menon told reporters at a press conference on Thursday.

While these are ongoing, wide-ranging issues that have been discussed for years and continue to be a work-in-progress, there is a to-do list of specific targets to be achieved, he said.