APEC nations commit to Doha trade deal by 2010

Published: 21 Jul 2009 02:27:11 PST

SINGAPORE, July 21 - Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) nations committed on Tuesday to a global trade pact by 2010, adding momentum to a call by major developed economies for a Doha deal. "The best answer to get out of this crisis is the early conclusion of the Doha round ... this is an opportunity," said South Korea's trade minister, Kim Jong Hoon, after the first day of APEC trade talks in Singapore.

The 21-member APEC group includes the United States, China and Russia, plus smaller developing Pacific Rim nations such as the Philippines and Peru.