Apec still has role in helping region grow

THE Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) bloc may be 26 years old but the 21-member grouping continues to remain relevant as it plays its part to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the region.

Apec Secretariat executive director Alan Bollard made this point in an interview with The Business Times ahead of the annual Apec Summit leaders' meeting in Manila next week.

"Our focus has always been on growth and Apec has enjoyed world-record growth in the last two decades. That's been our contribution and that's what has kept us all together as we go forward and improve the lifestyles of our people," he said.