Trade and Industry Secretary Denise Yue yesterday called on regional governments not to use the economic crisis as an excuse to slow down trade liberalisation.
Miss Yue, who was speaking at the opening of the third Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum symposium, said she was confident that 'given time' they would see the benefits.
She also said liberalisation must be sustained rather than piecemeal to reap the full benefits.
She said: 'The solution does not rely on bringing down the shutters.' She later told the symposium she was aware that present problems were causing some to question the free flow of investment.
'Some will point to the havoc purportedly wreaked on regional financial markets by overseas investors as proof that investment and liberalisation bring with them some [penalties].
'Even those who do not subscribe to such claims may have doubts as to the value of foreign direct investment in a volatile market. But these recent problems actually reinforce, and not weaken, the arguments for a stable investment environment and a robust investment regime.
