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Automotive Dialogue |
The APEC Automotive Dialogue (AD) serves as a forum for APEC member economy officials and senior industry representatives to work together to map-out strategies for increasing the integration and development of the automotive sector within the region.
The AD was established in recognition of the crosscutting nature of the automotive industry and of the broad benefits to many economies of trade liberalisation and facilitation in this sector. It allows the public and private sectors to work together to improve policy development, to identify barriers to growth and to develop effective cooperation mechanisms for APEC economies to address and reduce impediments.
The goals of the AD are to engage participants in cooperative efforts to foster the growth and development of the regional auto industry and to provide actionable recommendations to APEC Trade Ministers.
The AD first met in 1999 in Indonesia and has continued to meet every year since then. Current active members include Australia, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Viet Nam and the United States.
Achievements
The 11th Automotive Dialogue (AD) Meeting was held on 30 March - 2 April 2009 in Seoul, Korea. Participants discussed and agreed to update the FTA matrix for the automotive industry and to review a number of policy measures implemented by APEC economies that support their industries. This matrix summarises automotive provisions in FTAs already in effect and is important for improving the automotive business environment and transparency.
The AD endorsed the resolution and affirmed the commitment made by APEC Leaders in November 2008 to refrain from raising new barriers to investment or trade in goods and services. The AD also supported government and industry initiatives and programmes that are WTO-consistent and least restrictive to trade to strengthen the automotive sector
A set of recommendations on customs practices and procedures that cover Automotive rules of origin, modernisation of customs websites, and expedited customs clearance of goods were endorsed.
The AD expressed its support for the development of harmonised standards for fuel quality and discussed the implications of increased use of bio-fuels, including biofuels transport and distribution options for APEC economies.
Participants stressed the importance of further intellectual property rights protection and safety in the automotive sector through promoting best practices, sharing information and increasing public awareness.
The AD considered work plans of its five working groups covering the areas of:
(i) market access;
(ii) customs;
(iii) harmonisation of regulations and road safety;
(iv) small and medium size enterprise development; and
(v) intellectual property rights.
The AD members endorsed several project proposals, including assisting APEC SMEs to gain access to the aftermarket parts markets of developed APEC economies and addressing motorcycle safety issues.
Current Activities
The AD is implementing the Philippines-led project, "Customs Import Automation: A Pilot Project for SMEs and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)." The project's objective is to develop and implement an online automated import documentation system that expedites trade transactions of automotive SMEs and OEMs. Upon completion, this project will be extended and adapted later to other importing sectors in the Philippines and further in other APEC economies.
Currently, the AD members are updating the FTA matrix for the automotive industry.
The next AD meeting is planned to be held in Sapporo, Japan on 17-20 May 2010.
Automotive Dialogue - Key Contacts
Automotive Dialogue Chair
Mr. Shigeaki Tanaka
Director for Automobile Division,
Manufacturing Industry Bureau,
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Tel: +81-3-3501-1690
Fax: +81-3-3510-6691
E-mail: tanaka-shigeaki@meti.go.jp
Contact persons for the AD Chair:
Mr. Toru Tachikawa
Automobile Division,
Manufacturing Industry Bureau,
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Tel: +81-3-3501-1690
Fax: +81-3-3510-6691
E-mail: tashikawa-toru@meti.go.jp
and
Ms. Sachiko Hayashi
Automobile Division,
Manufacturing Industry Bureau,
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Tel: +81-3-3501-1690
Fax: +81-3-3510-6691
E-mail: hayashi-sachiko@meti.go.jp
APEC Secretariat
Mr Andrey Y Plam
Director (Program)
E-mail: ayp@apec.org
Reviewed on: 1 April 2010