Possibly most importantly, the process brings together, regularly, policymakers of governments which have a demonstrated record of commitment to deregulation and increasingly open markets. APEC Includes some of the world's most open economies, including Singapore and Hong Kong, whose spectacular growth has forced their economies to spill over their borders to neighbouring regions. As the evidence of the benefits of reform spreads and policy- makers exchange their experiences of lmplementing an increasingly broad range of reforms, despite short-term objections, there will be greater interest by others in impiementing similar reforms to gain corresponding long-term benefits.