Member countries of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum must endeavor to promote cross-border e-commerce and solve problems such as infringement of Internet security, International Trade and Industry Minister Takashi Fukaya said Monday.

In the keynote speech at the opening of the two-day APEC/E-Commerce Convention in Tokyo, Fukaya said: "Taking into account its population, market size, economic vitality and growth, the APEC (region) has immense potential for the (development of) e-commerce.

"Now is the time for e-commerce leaders from the APEC region to discuss issues to be tackled and transmit the results to the rest of the world."