The forthcoming APEC meeting is a "timely" international gathering for raising people's confidence in the sluggish world economy, Canadian Minister of International Trade Pierre Pettigrew said here Wednesday.

In an interview with Chinese reporters, Pettigrew said that the world economy had been slowing down before the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States and it is evident that the attacks will deepen the slowdown.

"Indeed, the APEC meeting is very timely to demonstrate a sign of confidence in world economy," he said.

Pettigrew said that the APEC membership is a very diversified forum that "can send a very positive signal" that developed and developing economies are committed to an open and rule-based global trade system.

"I do hope that APEC will send a strong signal for the launch of this new round (of WTO trade talks)," he said.

Pettigrew is here to attend a two-day APEC Ministerial Meeting prior to the informal meeting of economic leaders from the 21 Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies.

(People's Daily 10/17/2001)