Trade experts have called for efforts to push forward the building of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

The free trade arrangement covering all Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies will not only help to promote the free flow of trade and investment in the region, but also support a more open Asia-Pacific economy.

Rising unilateralism and protectionism have brought uncertainties to growth in the Asia-Pacific region, and most countries intend to strengthen economic cooperation to boost demand.

Economic globalization remains an irresistible trend, and the proposal of building the FTAAP is desirable for most APEC economies.

The FTAAP proposal was initiated in 2004 and written into the declaration of the APEC meeting in 2006.

Experts expect the initiative to get a boost as leaders gather in the South Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea for the 26th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

All the members hope that the Port Moresby APEC meeting will propel the building of an open economy and map out a correct direction for future development.

Established in 1989, the 21-member APEC is the Pacific Rim's premier economic forum aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. Its member economies account for 60 percent of the world's GDP and 50 percent of global trade.