SINGAPORE, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak Friday called for increased international coordination to combat the financial crisis and to sustain a durable growth.

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak addresses the APEC CEO Summit 2009 in Singapore, Nov. 13, 2009. The APEC CEO Summit 2009 was held here on Friday. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) Photo Gallery>>>

    Speaking at the CEO summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Lee said most Asian economies recovered relatively fast because pre-emptive and bold measures were taken but it was still not time for countries or their business leaders to be complacent.

    The South Korean president also said it was difficult for East Asian economies to return to the fast growth pattern they had in previous years.

    "Closer coordination is needed in exit strategies," Lee said, adding that though the timing should be decided by individual countries, exit strategies are best implemented when they are coordinated and acted on a pre-agreed basis.

    Lee also urged Asian businessmen to help fight the global economic crisis through aggressive investment and job creation.

    He said what the world most needs now is uninterrupted private investment and businesses could also benefit from their investment decisions.

    Lee will meet with leaders from 20 other APEC members at the group's annual summit this weekend. The leaders are expected to pledge coordinated efforts to sustain the current weak recovery.

Special Report:  Global Financial Crisis