Media releases
Saturday 11 May 2002 / MVT041/2002
Vaile Welcomes APEC Business Leaders to Sydney
Australia has an opportunity to demonstrate its value as a business
and investment destination to the cream of business leadership from
the Asia-Pacific region this week, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said
today.
Speaking at Sydney airport prior to his departure on a 10-day visit
to Europe and Thailand, Mr Vaile said, members of the APEC Business
Advisory Council (ABAC) would tomorrow begin three days of discussion
in Sydney on issues affecting trade and investment prospects in the
Asia-Pacific region.
“This meeting is a particularly important event on the APEC calendar.
It represents a key opportunity for regional business leaders to discuss
the medium-term outlook for economies in the region and develop recommendations
to put to APEC Economic Leaders when they meet in Mexico in October,”
Mr Vaile said.
“The ABAC meeting also represents an invaluable opportunity to showcase
to regional business leaders the many benefits that Australia offers
as a business and investment destination.”
For the first time, the ABAC meeting will produce a preliminary report
to APEC Ministers to brief them on ABAC priorities requiring immediate
implementation. Ministers will discuss this report at the Ministers
Responsible for Trade Meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, later this
month.
“I look forward to ABAC’s constructive ideas and suggestions on how
APEC can develop its agenda within an environment impacted by terrorism
and global economic uncertainty. The first-hand experience and advice
of ABAC members will be critical to ensuring that APEC can progress
its business policy agenda to deliver real benefits to business.
“The continued efforts of ABAC taskforces on trade and investment,
finance, technology, and small and medium enterprises are crucial
in helping to meet the important needs of business, including through
enhancing security, maintaining regional economic growth, and generating
jobs and prosperity.
“APEC’s work to reduce the costs of doing business in the region,
through its Shanghai accord initiative to reduce business transaction
costs by five per cent, will also produce significant benefits to
businesses, as will efforts to maximise the benefits to business from
e-commerce under the E-APEC strategy.
“I wish the business leaders well in their Sydney discussions, and
look forward to prospect of advancing their ideas in Mexico.”
Local Date:
Thursday, 17-May-2012 16:49:09 EST
