Singapore has key role as ‘honest broker’

28-Apr-2012 Intellasia | Straitstimes | 7:05 AM

Singapore is in a unique position to help foster greater trade liberalisation between the various economies in the Asia-Pacific region, a top United States (US) trade official said on Thursday.

‘Because of the diversity of economies within the (region), some of those developing economies may sometimes feel like it’s a little bit of an unfair conversation between the US and them,’ said US Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

Calling Singapore a ‘leading voice’ for trade liberalisation, he said: ‘We think Singapore has a unique ability to play the role of an honest broker within this process.’

Kirk, principal trade adviser and negotiator for US President Barack Obama, was speaking at a press conference after delivering an address on US Asia-Pacific trade policy at the Singapore Management University.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_793145.html