Singapore, February 26, 2009 - A brief summary of meetings concluded today follows:

The role of the SCCP and the region's customs authorities with respect to the global economic crisis was discussed, and member economies have agreed to compile information on customs-related initiatives taken in response to the economic crisis.

Key Performance Indicators relating to APEC's Trade Facilitation Action Plan II were reviewed, and progress made by member economies discussed. Consideration was given as to how to work with APEC's Market Access Group to address businesses' difficulties with respect to Rules of Origin. The Chair of APEC's Intellectual Property Experts' Group also raised opportunities for collaboration on issues of shared interest.

Progress on the SCCP's Single Window Initiative was reported. Australia presented on the outcomes of the second single window workshop held in February 2009, and the focus of future workshops was outlined. Australia also gave presentations on a Time Release Survey it undertook in 2008 and on anticipated challenges for customs authorities in the future.

Outcomes of the Customs Data Harmonisation workshop held in late 2008 were provided by Chinese Taipei. Chinese Taipei also shared their experiences of using RFID for customs control on transit containers.

An update on APEC's Trade Recovery Program and on the status of trade recovery issues at the World Customs Organisation was provided by Singapore.

Hong Kong, China presented on Integrity Best Practices in the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, and Malaysia provided an update on integrity-related developments in the World Customs Organization.

The SCCP's objectives are to simplify and harmonise regional customs procedures to ensure that goods and services move efficiently, effectively and safely through the region, and to reconcile and facilitate border control.

The ACT discussed its long-term strategy (3-5 years). Stronger collaboration with other APEC fora and multilateral organisations, and the development of a communications and information dissemination plan were identified as priorities.

A project to catalogue anti-corruption capacity building initiatives undertaken in APEC economies was proposed by Singapore. The intent of the project is to build a repository/directory of capacity building activities. The United States proposed a project on dismantling transnational illicit networks corruption nodes.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the World Bank, Transparency International, the Asian Development Bank and the OECD participated in the meetings and shared information about their activities and experiences.

The ACT is made up of law enforcement officials from APEC member economies. It focuses on: the implementation of APEC Leaders' resolutions to fight corruption and the United Nations' Convention Against Corruption; information sharing; promotion of mutual legal assistance; capacity building in areas of corruption prevention and prosecution; and cooperation on denial of safe haven for corrupt individuals and embezzled assets.

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions gave a presentation on "Copyright Exceptions and Limitations for Libraries: Balancing the Intellectual Property Rights of Authors with the Needs of Users."

Businesses' views on intellectual property rights and trends in the context of the current economic climate will be the focus of an upcoming IPEG seminar entitled, "Trading Ideas: Strategic Management, Commercialization & Utilization of Intellectual Property Rights". The seminar will bring together the private and public sector, and will be held in Singapore on 30-31 July.

A workshop proposal on "Effective Implementation of Best Practices Concerning Cable and Satellite Signal Piracy and Enforcement" was endorsed, and the workshop will also take place later this year.

The IPEG aims to: promote dialogue on intellectual property policy; survey and exchange information on the current status of IPR protection and administrative systems; study measures for the effective enforcement of IPR; and facilitate technical cooperation to help APEC economies fully implement the WTO's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

The ECSG's Data Privacy Subgroup reported progress on the eight projects designed to advance the Data Privacy Pathfinder. The next step is to finalise survey documentation that will collate information on the data privacy frameworks that currently exist in each member economy. 16 economies are now participating in the Pathfinder, and to-date 14 economies have submitted their Individual Action Plans (IAPs) on Data Privacy (this data will be made available to the public via the APEC website).

The ECSG's Paperless Trading Subgroup (PTS) held its first joint meeting with the APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures' Single Window Working Group to discuss collaboration on single window initiatives. Several economies have expressed interest in participating in the PTS' Electronic Certificates of Origin (ECO) Project. Economies have also been encouraged to submit and/or update their IAPs on Paperless Trading. 18 economies have submitted IAPs so far. New projects proposed include a Digital Prosperity Checklist seminar and a workshop on the APEC Global Value Chain Initiative.

The ECSG promotes the development and use of electronic commerce by creating legal, regulatory and policy environments in the APEC region that are predictable, transparent and consistent. The ECSG's subgroup on Data Privacy is focused on developing a system of cross border privacy rules that will ensure accountable flows of personal information in the APEC region. The ultimate objective of the ECSG is to contribute to APEC's work on the liberalisation and facilitation of free trade and investment in the APEC region.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was established in 1989 to capitalise on the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies. By facilitating economic growth, intensifying economic and technical cooperation and enhancing a sense of community, APEC aims to create greater prosperity for the people of the region.

APEC is a unique forum, operating on the basis of open dialogue and respect for the views of all participants. There are no binding commitments; compliance is achieved through discussion and mutual support in the form of economic and technical cooperation. In APEC, all economies have an equal say and decision-making is reached by consensus. In 2009, Singapore is host to APEC's Annual Economic Leaders' Meeting, APEC Ministerial Meetings, and three Senior Officials Meetings.

Since its inception, APEC has grown to become one of the world's most important regional groupings. Its 21 Member Economies span four continents, are home to 2.7 billion people and represent 54 percent of world GDP (US$29 trillion) and 44 percent (US$15 trillion) of world trade.

For further information contact:

 
Linda Carroll on +65 8233 6609 or E-mail: lac@apec.org

Anita Douglas on +65 9172 6427 or E-mail: ad@apec.org