APEC

Boosting tourism as an engine for economic growth and development

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:00:00 +0800

A comprehensive approach to tourism development that prioritizes growth, sustainability, progress and sharing is the key to building greater, more rewarding industry cooperation within the Asia-Pacific.

Supporting SMEs—bedrock of APEC growth

Fri, 04 May 2012 11:40:00 +0800

APEC members are jointly working to improve business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) whose success is essential to ensuring the region’s economic health and stability.

APEC 2012 ASPIRE Prize: health innovation

Thu, 03 May 2012 22:23:00 +0800

To promote innovation that delivers improved health, productivity and economic growth to the Asia-Pacific, APEC has launched the 2012 ASPIRE Prize which will honor a young scientist whose work has made an outstanding contribution to bioscience, as evidenced by scholarly publication and demonstrated by partnerships with regional colleagues.

Charting a path to sustainable growth and equitable development

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:23:00 +0800

“APEC is taking concrete steps toward the realization of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific by making an important and meaningful contribution as an incubator for leadership and ideas,” said APEC Secretariat Executive Director Ambassador Muhamad Noor.

Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) Singapore Conference 2012

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:30:00 +0800

Ambassador Muhamad Noor, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, delivers a keynote speech at the 2012 Pacific Economic Cooperation Council Conference in Singapore.

Op-ed: Safeguarding the region’s air highways, driving mutual prosperity

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:51:00 +0800

Ho Chi Minh City’s rapid development into a major air cargo thoroughfare is consistent with growth that is equally solidifying the broader Asia-Pacific region’s mantle as the most active aviation-based shipping center.

Op-ed: Safeguarding the region’s air highways, driving mutual prosperity

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0800

APEC progress on air cargo security

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:13:00 +0800

Ambassador Muhamad Noor, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, delivers the keynote speech at the 3rd APEC Air Cargo Security Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City.

Economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region and the role of APEC

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:51:00 +0800

Ambassador Muhamad Noor, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, delivers remarks at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam, Ha Noi.

Stable and reliable infrastructure essential foundation for digital economy

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:53:00 +0800

Growth in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector will provide economic opportunities for the APEC region but it comes with the challenge of access, connectivity and security threats, acknowledged senior telecommunications officials in the harbor city of Da Nang.

Innovative growth leads the way for APEC economies

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:54:00 +0800

Regional officials and industry thought leaders were among those who put forward strategies for Asia-Pacific economies to encourage effective, non-discriminatory and market-driven innovation at an APEC workshop held in Singapore on 4-5 April.

Better telecom competition promotes innovation

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:36:00 +0800

Recognizing the need to encourage competition in the telecommunications sector, regulators committed to undertake measures to stimulate private sector involvement and also protect consumers.

APEC seeks right mix of policy and technology to secure handheld mobile devices

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:08:00 +0800

While mobile phone users have not yet faced many security concerns up to now, threats are on the rise as mobile phone usage rapidly grows across the region, according to cyber-security experts meeting in Da Nang this week.

Universal broadband access improves development; disaster preparedness

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:55:00 +0800

Increasing broadband access to rural customers will improve the region’s economy, create jobs and stem urban migration, agreed industry experts and APEC telecommunications experts on Thursday.

Laying the groundwork for regional trade progress

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:10:00 +0800

APEC is moving ahead with cooperative efforts to evaluate and identify initiatives that support freer, faster and more beneficial trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

Unlocking barriers on ICT products benefits regional prosperity

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:01:00 +0800

The removal of trade barriers on information and communication technology (ICT) products increases their accessibility and expanding the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) will further spur productivity, innovation and economic growth.

Remanufacturing brings economic and environmental benefits

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:01:00 +0800

Robust trade in remanufactured products will bring greater investment opportunities, create jobs and promote green growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC pushes forward 2012 priorities

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0800

APEC is taking further steps to enhance supply chain performance, improve collaboration on innovation and extend opportunities for more robust economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.

Better disaster responses safeguard marine resources in Asia-Pacific

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0800

As incidents of extreme weather increase, the aquaculture and fisheries sectors can raise their defences by taking stock of successful responses to hardships caused by recent disasters.

APEC seeks to overcome barriers to women’s leadership

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:55:00 +0800

A range of innovative ideas for expanding gender inclusiveness and women’s leadership have been proposed in Yokohama.

APEC business leaders call for engagement in initiatives leading to FTAAP

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 10:04:00 +0800

Business leaders from the Asia Pacific region urged the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to give priority to accelerating regional economic integration, developing stronger infrastructure and supply chains, strengthening food security, and fostering innovative growth as it begins its work this year under the Chairmanship of Russia of taking further steps towards realizing the goal of an integrated Asia Pacific economy.

Consolidated position enhances APEC’s focus on 2012 priorities, say APEC Senior Officials

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:16:00 +0800

Now that Russia is joining the World Trade Organization, discussions within APEC on trade liberalization will grow wider and deeper, said Russia’s Senior Official for APEC.

Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Morgulov made the remarks over the weekend when he introduced the priorities for APEC Russia 2012 at the first Senior Officials’ Meeting in Moscow for which he is the chair.

Support for small businesses and reforms crucial for growth

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:57:00 +0800

APEC economies should continue to pursue regulatory reforms to support and bolster small businesses in light of the current global economic situation, APEC’s Policy Support Unit (PSU) says.

According to the first APEC Economic Trends Analysis, real GDP in the APEC region is projected to grow by 4.1% in 2012 and 4.5% in 2013, while GDP in the world is forecast to slow to 3.3% in 2012 before accelerating to 3.9% in 2013.

Lower obstacles create huge opportunities for job creation and business prospects

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:46:00 +0800

Reforms to reduce excessive export and import procedures in developing APEC economies could raise GDP by USD 1.4 trillion and create over 36.5 million jobs, said an analysis today.

Regulators from around the Asia-Pacific gathered in Moscow on Sunday and Monday to study various approaches to improving the business environment and make progress toward the APEC-wide goal to make it cheaper, quicker and easier to do business across the Asia-Pacific region by 25% by 2015.

Good regulatory practices eliminates costs for business

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:56:00 +0800

Regulatory coherence is important to achieving regional economic integration, especially as it relates to strengthening regional supply chains, agreed APEC regulatory officials this weekend in Moscow.

Officials gathered here on Saturday to share successful practices that have been used to improve their regulatory frameworks and how these reforms can cultivate open and competitive markets.

APEC takes further action to sustain regional economic growth

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:56:00 +0800

APEC will focus on taking concrete measures to address challenges facing the global economy as its sub-fora and Senior Officials meet for the first time in 2012.

Raising the de minimis threshold to enhance supply-chain connectivity

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0800

A shopper in New York goes online to buy a woven bamboo basket from a handicraft maker in Malaysia selling direct to customers through an e-commerce website. Under a new APEC initiative to exempt customs duties on express and postal shipments, a US$100 basket may be exempt from US customs duties.

APEC promotes green growth to meet region’s challenges

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:30:00 +0800

APEC is tackling economic and environmental challenges through its green growth agenda – a key focus in 2011.

Stepping up regulatory cooperation for sustainable economic growth

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0800

APEC is bolstering regulatory cooperation and reform to increase productivity and create jobs, while protecting public health, safety and the environment.

Op-ed: APEC and TPP work to integrate region

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0800

The potential of the Trans-Pacific Partnership is enormous, says APEC Secretariat Executive Director Ambassador Muhamad Noor.

Russia announces APEC’s priorities for 2012

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:31:00 +0800

Facing a global economic slowdown and uncertainty in the financial sector, APEC senior officials gathered in the historic Russian city of St. Petersburg this week to set their priorities for 2012 in order to boost growth in trade and investment in Asia-Pacific.

Op-ed: Sustainable growth in APEC

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0800

The recent meeting of APEC Leaders in Honolulu was a resounding success, says APEC Secretariat Executive Director Ambassador Muhamad Noor in an op-ed.

APEC’s ultimate goal: a seamless regional economy

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:27:00 +0800

US President Barack Obama hosted leaders of the of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Business leaders applaud Obama’s move on APEC travel card

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0800

Business leaders today welcomed new legislation giving US citizens access to the APEC Business Travel Card scheme, a crucial tool for business travel in the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Open Governance and Economic Growth

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:21:00 +0800

APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Disaster Resiliency

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:21:00 +0800

APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Open Governance and Economic Growth

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:21:00 +0800

APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Disaster Resiliency

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:21:00 +0800

Joint statement: APEC Ministers agree on enhanced trade, green growth, regulatory reform

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0800

APEC Ministers today committed to concrete actions to strengthen economic integration and expand trade, promote green growth and advance regulatory convergence and cooperation to achieve economic growth in the region.

APEC Finance Ministers issue statement: commit to strengthening recovery, reinforcing stability and opening markets

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:36:00 +0800

Senior officials from the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum worked to finalize their recommendations to Ministers and Leaders this week as they met for the final time this year. APEC aims to promote sustainable growth and facilitate job creation by deepening regional economic integration.

APEC promotes job creation, green growth at Honolulu meeting, say US Senior Officials

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0800

APEC making it easier, faster, cheaper to do business

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0800

APEC has made a good start towards achieving its aspirational goal of improving the ease of doing business across the Asia-Pacific region by 25% by 2015, according to Dr Takashi Omori, chair of APEC’s Economic Committee.

Pacific-wide photo contest winners capture APEC’s 2011 priorities

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:35:00 +0800

Three photographers with images that dramatically capture APEC’s work in 2011 were announced today as the winners of the Pacific-wide APEC photo contest.

Trade transaction costs fall in APEC region, research reveals

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:35:00 +0800

Trade transaction costs across the Asia-Pacific region have fallen 5%, resulting in US$ 58.7 billion in total savings for businesses, research shows.

APEC Leaders, Ministers to meet to strengthen regional trade

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 20:35:00 +0800

APEC Leaders and Ministers will meet in Honolulu from November 8-13 to advance regional economic integration and free trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific.

APEC takes sustainable steps to powering electric vehicles

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:13:00 +0800

Wider adoption of electric vehicles will reduce emissions, save energy and boost the competitiveness of automakers in the Asia-Pacific region, industry experts confirmed at a workshop on innovations in the industry.

APEC and Trans-Pacific Partnership mutually useful: research

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:02:00 +0800

A successful conclusion to the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations currently underway would cover more than USD 500 billion worth of trade among its members, according to new research.

Detection technologies improve drug safety

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:30:00 +0800

The spread of unsafe and counterfeit medicines is a serious problem and a coordinated global effort is needed to address this public health threat.

APEC Officials Promote Trade, Green Growth at San Francisco Meeting, says Senior White House Official

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:13:00 +0800

APEC representatives considered ways to build toward a seamless regional economy by advancing three priorities in 2011.

APEC takes action to reduce chronic diseases in the Asia-Pacific

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:53:00 +0800

Chronic disease is one of the top threats to global economic security, said U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius when she joined Ministers and other high level APEC officials as well as leading academics and health industry CEOs.