By Francis Chan, Finance Correspondent

SINGAPORE has taken the lead in helping smaller businesses, in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) region, expand to new markets.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Manpower Lee Yi Shyan, on Saturday announced two new initiatives designed to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) as they venture into foreign markets.

Mr Lee was speaking at the opening event of this year's Apec SME Working Group & Ministerial Meetings and related seminars, held at the Shangri-La Hotel.

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