APEC's Economic Challenges: Breaking down the barriers for growth and integration - 26 June 2007
Some of Australia's key participants in this year's APEC forum gave specialist insights into how APEC operates, at an International Forum on 26th June 2007.
The Forum on "APEC’s Economic Challenges: Breaking down the barriers for growth and integration" was hosted by the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific (RIAP) and gave business and industry clear insights into how APEC facilitate trade activities in the region.
This forum, sponsored by DFAT and Austrade, was one of the most important events prior to September APEC 2007 meeting in Sydney.
The impressive line-up of speakers who were invited in APEC negotiations include:
- Mr David Spencer
Deputy Secretary and Ambassador to APEC, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Topic: The trade and economic agenda - Mr James Goh
Region Vice-President - International Trade Services, UPS Asia Pacific Region
Topic: APEC's Agenda: Singapore Perspectives - Dr John Edwards
Chief Economist, HSBC
Topic: APEC’s regional challenges - Mr Brendan Pearson
Assistant Secretary, Environment Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Topic: Energy and Climate Change – APEC’s agenda - Mr Kevin Hobgood-Brown
Chairman, Australia and China Business Council
Topic: Trade facilitation, what’s in it for business?
Participants included business and service providers from the export community engaged in trade in the APEC region. The Forum was a rare opportunity to hear first hand from the APEC negotiators, and to discuss how trade agreements are working to facilitate trade activities. Problems such as movement of goods, customs regulations, security, standards in food and industrial products, business mobility and e-commerce, and the challenges of energy security and climate change were discussed.
Forum Poster