Minister To Lead Delegation To Beijing APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah will lead the Malaysian delegation to the 21st APEC Finance Ministers' meeting (APEC FMM) in Beijing, China, from Oct 21-22. The APEC FMM will discuss and exchange views on the global and regional economic outlook, as well as discuss key messages on APEC's response to risks and strengthening regional economic cooperation, the ministry said in a statement here Monday. The meeting will further discuss cooperation on infrastructure investment and financing in addressing the financing gap in the Asia-Pacific region, given the limited financial resources, through public-private partnership. This will be followed by a working lunch with the APEC Business Advisory Council at which the Finance Ministers will be briefed on the progress made in infrastructure and the Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF). The Finance Ministers will also exchange views on fiscal and taxation policies as well as reforms for economic restructuring and improving financial services for regional real economy. Husni is expected to have a meeting on the sidelines with John Tsang Chun-wah, Hong Kong's Financial Secretary, to discuss further strengthening the economic, trade and financial partnership. Hong Kong is one of Malaysia's important trade partners, with exports to the former British colony growing 3.9 per cent in 2013. Malaysia is attending the APEC FMM to discuss and exchange views with APEC member economies on measures to promote sound and credible policies for sustainable and broad-based development within the region. The statement added that Malaysia's participation is important in safeguarding the nation's interest, as well as to reaffirm the stand that leaders of advanced economies must act decisively, to ensure financial stability is preserved. --BERNAMA