Manila

THE Asia-Pacific region has enjoyed a "milestone" year in terms of economic integration, and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wants all the region's economies to soldier on towards the longer-term goal of having a region-wide free trade zone.

Speaking on the second and final day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders meeting in Manila on Thursday, he hailed the many achievements by the grouping to boost trade liberalisation.