Apec's resolve a strong signal of free trade commitment: PM

THE fact that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum sticks to its goals and commitments will send a "powerful signal" to the international community that the 21-member bloc continues to support free trade, says Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Doing so would also give a confidence boost to businesses and spur them on to invest and create new jobs, he told a gathering of Asian and Pacific Rim leaders in Bali yesterday.

"If we waver, the ripple effects would have significant negative consequ…