APEC FINANCE MINISTERS DISCUSS ECONOMIC CRISIS

SINGAPORE, Nov 12 (Bernama) - The Finance Ministers of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation's (Apec) 21 economies Thursday began their one-day retreat
session at the Suntec International Exhibition and Convention Centre here.

Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah is representing Malaysia at
the meeting chaired by Singapore's Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

The meeting is expected to discuss issues related to the global economic
crisis,trade finance, public-private models for the development of large-scale
infrastructure projects and capital market development.

Meanwhile, the Apec Trade and Foreign Ministers continue their final meeting
today with a plenary session chaired by Singapore's Foreign Minister George
Yeo and Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang.

The meeting is expected to finalise the Joint Ministerial Statement that
will endorse, among other things, the initiatives to improve the ease of doing
business in the region and simplifying custom procedures and documentation
related to Rules of Origin.

The ministers will also be updated on the preparations by Japan on the next
Apec meeting to be hosted by it next year.
-- BERNAMA