LIMA (Sputnik) — Free trade, economic growth and deeper integration between members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum will become a vocal point of the APEC summit in Lima, Second Vice President of Peru Mercedes Araoz told Sputnik on Thursday.
"Having all this countries looking at the possibility of having more integration, trade is a real focus of our meeting," Araoz said.
"I think this meeting is very important for us. We are working for the people. Economic growth with quality is very important. Our agriculture and people in the fishery sector could benefit from the openness and free trade. They feel that they are already having the benefits," Araoz stressed.
APEC is the leading Asia-Pacific economic forum with 21 member states, the aim of which is support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the region.
Araoz also said that Peru is satisfied with the results of the year of its presidency at APEC and is proud of hosting the summit for the second time.
"We are very happy that we are having good results," Araoz said, asked about her assessment of the year of the Peruvian presidency in the international forum.
"We have more than 8,000 people here, 1,200 people from the business sector, and 2,200 people from the press. It's a very important moment for Peru," Araoz added.
The two-day APEC summit will kick off on Saturday.
