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Close consultations with the business community through Industry Dialogues are an effective method of pursuing liberalisation initiatives as part of APEC. These dialogues improve mutual understanding of key imperatives for future policies and enhance the competitiveness of the industries.
Currently, Industry Dialogues serve to advance the development of liberalisation initiatives in two of the 15 areas identified by APEC for early voluntary sectoral liberalisation: the automotive and chemical industries. Government officials involved in trade and regulatory policy within APEC Member Economies join industry representatives to discuss issues relevant to enhancing competitiveness for the specific industry.
The APEC Automotive Dialogue was established in 1999 to serve as a forum for government officials and senior industry representatives to work together on strategies for increasing integration and development of the automotive sector in the region.
The APEC Chemical Dialogue began in 2002. This dialogue has focused on trade and trade-related regulatory issues affecting the competitiveness and sustainable development of the industry. The dialogue will likely lead to a work programme that will focus on non-tariff measures, trade facilitation, and economic and technical cooperation related to the industry in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Life Sciences Innovation Forum was first held in 2003 to address the challenges of risk detection and prevention, treatment and cures of the communicable and lifestyle diseases which afflict our people. Guiding principles moving forward must include transparency, meaningful dialogue with stakeholders and recognition of due process. Capacity building is critical to successful implementation.
Recommendations made as part of the Industry Dialogues are reported to the Committee on Trade and Investment, who pass appropriate information to APEC Senior Officials, Ministers and Leaders. APEC Member Economies consider implementation of these recommendations in line with APEC's flexible, voluntary and consensus oriented approach to trade facilitation and economic and technical cooperation.