In 2000 APEC announced an Action Agenda for the New Economy that outlined ways to promote the right policy environment and build capacity to help create a framework to strengthen markets, electronic commerce, infrastructure, and knowledge and skills development. It also looked at providing affordable and more efficient access to communications and the internet.
Building upon these efforts, Leaders endorsed the e-APEC Strategy in 2001. It developed a forward-looking, long-term and action-oriented plan under three pillars -
Creating an environment for strengthening of market structures and institutions, i.e., open markets and strong institutions.
Facilitating an environment for infrastructure investment and technology development i.e., a favorable investment and innovation climate.
Enhancing human capacity building and promoting entrepreneurship i.e., emphasis on education and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The 2004 report, Implementing the e-APEC Strategy - Progress and Recommendations for Further Action, found that economies had made significant improvements in e-infrastructure, broadband, e-government services and mobile services and that increased competition and market oriented policies had helped innovation and investment. It stated that the e-APEC Strategy continues to grow in importance and exhorted Member Economies, especially those at earlier stages of implementation, to continue building skills and capacity.
The Electronic
Commerce Steering Group (ECSG) developed a
Data Privacy Pathfinder initiative which will enable stakeholders to work
together to better protect private information in the APEC region and build
confidence and trust in electronic commerce. The Pathfinder will support
business needs, reduce compliance costs, provide consumers with effective
remedies, allow regulators to operate efficiently, and minimise regulatory
burdens.
The Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) prepared
the APEC's Second Trade Facilitation Action Plan endorsed by Ministers
Responsible for Trade in July 2007. This plan sets out a framework and
timetable for achieving a further five per cent reduction in trade
transaction costs by 2010. It focuses on customs procedures, standards and
conformance, e-commerce and mobility of business people.
The APEC
Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP)
adopted the SCCP Single Window Strategic Plan and the SCCP Single Window
Development Plan in June 2007. The Strategic Plan provides a framework for
the development of Single Window systems by members to achieve paperless
trading targets and enable seamless data sharing. It contains six
recommendations to assist members in this endeavour and provides the
mechanisms for APEC members to work collaboratively and agree on various
issues where appropriate.
In Sydney, Ministers agreed to expedite work to
support the implementation of international trade "Single Windows"
across APEC, with a view to the eventual interoperability of systems through
the use of recognised international instruments and standards. "Single
Windows" allow businesses involved in trade and transport to
electronically submit standardised information and documents at a single
entry point to fulfill all import, export and transit-related regulatory
requirements.
APEC Ministers also recognised that the digital
capability of APEC member economies is crucial in advancing APEC's work and
the equitable development of the region. They welcomed the contribution made
by the APEC Digital Opportunity Centre in this regard and encouraged member
economies to further cooperate in relevant capacity building activities.
The Telecommunications
and Information Working Group (TEL) continues its efforts to expand
collaboration in dealing with issues of electronic security, to build
confidence in the use of electronic networks, and to support policy and
regulatory reforms that facilitate competition and the expanded reach of
networks.
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