It will be challenging for the leaders of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to make any headway on free trade issues this week, at a time when the turbulence on global markets has the potential to evoke protectionist sentiment, Scott Price, chief of Walmart Asia, said Tuesday.
One of the discussions among 21 APEC members is about creating the Trans Pacifc Partnership free-trade zone.
Price said the forum, whose top-level meetings will take place Sept. 7-9, offers the ability to hold discussions with world leaders and business partners in an open and non-binding atmosphere.
"Many of the relationships we forge at APEC sustain well beyond the event itself and the familiarity we gain with key influencers definitely boosts our resourcefulness," he said in an email interview.
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