Researchers for the leading Asia-Pacific economic grouping say improved efficiency has saved regional countries more than $58 billion on trading costs since 2007.

The secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum released the findings ahead of an APEC summit to be held in Hawaii later this week.

The report says fees and charges on regional trade went up between 2006 and 2010, costing importers and exporters an additional $6.3 billion. But it says the streamlining of trade procedures has speeded up transactions and produced savings of $65 billion, for a net benefit of $58.7 billion.

The secretariat said the report will be circulated to APEC trade ministers and senior officials for discussion during the meetings in Honolulu.

A secretariat official said that at a time of global economic uncertainty, trade facilitation is more important than ever.