APEC talks crucial to WTO trade deal deadline

BALI, Indonesia (Xinhua) - The World Trade Organization (WTO) is hoping that crucial talks during APEC meetings will help it put together sweeping trade facilitation measures before a December deadline in what would be its first global deal in nearly two decades, the new head of the WTO said here on Saturday.

WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo, who took the helm of the WTO last month and is attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings here, had a clear message to the leaders - fast track discussions.