In economics, protectionism is the complete opposite of free trade, the former being the policy of restraining trade between states through a variety of government regulations, such as tariffs and restrictive quotas, while the latter is the doctrine where governments reduce as much as possible the barriers to trade.

Today, as it has been in the two-and-a-half decades of APEC’s existence, there is a broad consensus among member economies that the impact of protectionism on economic growth and on economic welfare, in general, is largely negative.

The APEC continues to espouse free and open trade and investment among its 21 member economies, as it remains convinced that protectionism stifles opportunity and narrows the market because it crushes the energy of the marketplace that creates new solutions in the first place.

As far as the majority, if not all APEC economies, is concerned, a freer market creates more opportunity, more growth, more dynamism, and more innovation.

The spirit of countering protectionism remains high in the list of commitments of the APEC, as emphasized in the Leaders’ Statement on Supporting the Multilateral Trading System and the coming 10th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC10) in Nairobi, Kenya issued at the conclusion of the 2015 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, hosted by Manila last week.

“We reaffirm our pledges against all forms of protectionism, through our commitment to a standstill until the end of 2018, and to roll back protectionist and trade-distorting measures,” the APEC Leaders stated.

“We recognize the need to exert further efforts to comply with this commitment,” they added. “We remain committed to exercising maximum restraint in implementing measures that may be consistent with WTO provisions but have a significant protectionist effect, and to promptly rectifying such measures, where implemented.”

Basically, this commitment is the biggest variable of success for the spirit of multilateral trading system going forward in the Asia Pacific.

At the conclusion of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, the heads of member economies reaffirmed the value, centrality and primacy of this system under the auspices of the WTO, whose achievements have contributed significantly to the region’s economic dynamism and resiliency in the past 20 years.

“The Asia Pacific has been one of the fastest-growing trading regions, benefiting significantly from the stability and predictability of the multilateral trading system,” the APEC Leaders said, vowing to continue to work closely together to strengthen the rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO.

“Within the established framework of the multilateral trading system, we commit APEC to continuing to support the effectiveness of the WTO and the further promotion of its objectives for the benefit of all,” the ey said.

In this regard, the APEC Leaders endorsed the forthcoming MC10, WTO’s top level decision-making body, to be held in Nairobi, Kenya. They also declared their commitment to work together for its success.

As on previous occasions, they pledged to provide the necessary political impetus during the Nairobi Ministerial Meeting to achieve a balanced set of outcomes and clear guidance to post-Nairobi work.

“We instruct our Ministers to engage actively and constructively in the discussions, with the objective of achieving concrete, meaningful, balanced and development-oriented outcomes,” the APEC Leaders said.

They further acknowledged that bilateral, regional and plurilateral trade agreements can play an important role in complementing global liberalization initiatives.

“We will continue to work together to ensure that they are consistent with WTO agreements and contribute to strengthening the multilateral trading system,” the APEC Leaders said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

The APEC 2015 National Organizing Council held the APEC meetings in different parts of the country to showcase the Philippines’ tourist sites.

“Nagsimula po ng Disyembre noong nakaraang taon, at nakaikot na po ang ating mga delegado sa iba’t ibang napakagagandang tanawin dito sa Pilipinas,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday.

“Dinala po sila sa Iloilo, sa Cebu, sa Tagaytay, sa Bataan, sa Boracay, at sa Bacolod din po nakapunta sila. Talagang naikot po ng napakaraming delegado ang Pilipinas, hindi lang po ang kanilang mga economic leaders, but more importantly the thousands of delegates that we have hosted in the last year,” she told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Valte said the Department of Tourism even surpassed the 10,000 target for November and posted 11,000 arrivals.

The 11,000 tourist arrivals did not include APEC delegates who arrived in the country in the past year, she said.

For the APEC CEO Summit, organizers expected 800 participants but the actual number of delegates reached 1,300, Valte said.

The participants included businessmen, CEOs, high-level business managers from all over the 21 APEC economies who attended the CEO Summit in Manila.

“Talagang napakagandang exposure po ito at firsthand experience para sa kanila na makita ang Pilipinas sa ngayong panahon,” Valte said adding it was really a big boost for the tourism sector.

Aside from APEC, the Philippines hosted the ADB International Conference in Manila, two years ago. Prior to that, the country became the venue for the World Economic Forum East Asia Summit held in Manila.

“Nagbi-build up po ito at nakikita po natin ‘yung return ng mga ganitong international event at ang exposure na ibinibigay nito sa sa paglago ng turismo,” Valte said. PND (as)

Arriving at the heart of Manila, the spouses were welcomed by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez and the President’s sisters Maria Elena “Ballsy” Cruz, Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Abellada, Victoria Elisa “Viel” Dee, and Kristina Bernadette “Kris” Aquino.

Since the Philippine leader is a bachelor, the responsibility of playing host to the APEC leaders’ spouses fell on the lap of his sisters.

Among those who attended were the spouses of the leaders of Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

Aside from providing a historical tour, the presidential sisters wanted to display the trademark hospitality of Filipinos.

“We really wanted to make sure that everybody who visits the Philippines will go home with a positive impression of all Filipinos,” said Kris, the president’s youngest sister.

The first stop was Fort Santiago, where they witnessed a traditional wedding preparation and celebration, highlighting the cheerful and lively Filipino spirit.

About 200 performers from Ramon Obusan, Dulaang UP, Tanghalang Filipno, and University of the East dance group merged to present music and dances from the Spanish colonial era.

Afterwards, the spouses, together with the president’s sisters and other delegates, had a photo session or family picture taken at the second gate of the fort.

The spouses were then divided into two groups and rode electronic jeepneys to reach their assigned destinations. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s spouse left early for the airport since their country will be hosting the 27th Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

One group proceeded to Casa Manila, where scenes of the mundane existence of a Filipino family during the Spanish colonial era were recreated.

The other group headed to the nearby San Agustin Church, where the Hail Mary, The Queen Choir, composed of children, sang religious and Spanish songs. Outside, traditional carrozas (carriages) moved along the cobblestone path for the spouses to see.

They were all reunited at the Ayuntamiento de Manila to have the culminating festivities and luncheon hosted by the sisters.

Complementing the luncheon was a 20-minute program with a roster of performers, including singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, athlete and singer Matteo Guidicelli, and balladeers Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto.

When asked about the response of the spouses, said, Nestor Jardin of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, overall artistic director of the spouses’ program. “They’ve been overwhelmed by the Filipino hospitality as well as the talent that the Filipino artists and craftsmen have showcased.”

“We’re very happy that we got very good feedback from the delegates and from the leaders,” he added. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In their official declaration issued following their talks in Manila, the APEC leaders said they will not “allow terrorism to threaten the fundamental values that underpin our free and open economies”.

“Economic growth, prosperity, and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization. We stress the urgent need for increased international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism,” the APEC leaders said as they went beyond the recommendations made by APEC ministers, the result of dialogues conducted throughout the year among APEC senior officials and various committees.

The leaders’ declaration normally draws from that of the ministers, who in turn draw from that of senior officials. The terror attacks have however weighed heavily on the APEC, causing increased security measures for the international event.

The APEC leaders, who gathered in Manila this week for the 2015 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, specifically called for the full implementation of the APEC Consolidated Counter-Terrorism and Secure Trade Strategy.

They called for continued individual and collective actions, as well as sharing of best practices, in securing infrastructure, travel, supply chains, and financial systems from acts of terrorism.

“Under the shadow cast by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut, and against Russian aircraft over the Sinai, and elsewhere, we strongly condemn all acts, methods, and practices of terrorism in all their forms and manifestations,” the leaders said in the declaration.

“We will not allow terrorism to threaten the fundamental values that underpin our free and open economies,” they added.

On Wednesday, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called on APEC for a coordinated fight against terrorism, saying it is a “challenge to the whole civilized world”.

Terrorism is “not a crime against one country. It is a crime against the whole world,” said Medvedev, who attended the APEC Summit on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Terror attacks, such as those against a Russian aircraft that killed 224 passengers, are an area of cooperation that the APEC should engage in, Medvedev said.

On October 31, a 1-kilogram TNT bomb planted on a Russian A321 airliner killed all 224 people on board, mostly Russian tourists going home after spending their holidays in Egypt.

On November 12, dual suicide bombings took more than 40 lives in Beirut, Lebanon.

On November 13, seven coordinated terror attacks in Paris killed at least 129 people. Attacks were at the Stade de France during a friendly football match between France and Germany; the Petit Cambodge Cambodian restaurant and the Le Carillon bar; the Casa Nostra pizzeria; the La Belle Equipe bar; the Bataclan concert venue; and the McDonald’s restaurant on the fringes of the stadium.

The ISIS claimed responsibility for all three attacks. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council (ABAC) 2015, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, identified the shift in economic power among the “global megatrends” that are creating new challenges for APEC economies and businesses.

Magsaysay-Ho also noted the demographic and social change, with global population hitting 8 billion by 2025.

“These same global megatrends offer new growth opportunities, especially for SMEs. We must promote inclusive business models,” she said during the opening of the 2015 ABAC dialogue with APEC economic leaders.

Magsaysay-Ho underscored the important role of electronic commerce in the internationalization of SMEs.

“The greatest driver of economic growth is innovation. And unconstrained by large fixed assets, SMEs are better positioned to understand new customer expectations and create transformational business models through innovation,” she added.

The ABAC chair said it is thus imperative for APEC economies to commit to developing their prospective innovation and digital plans.

“Fifty years ago, the life expectancy of Fortune 500 Companies was 75 years. Today, it is less than 15. Clearly, an APEC-wide plan is also needed or we will be left out of future growth,” she said.

Magsaysay-Ho further said the ABAC, together with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and ABAC Canada, is launching an interactive mapping of incubators that would allow startups to network and venture capitals to find startups to support.

She also urged APEC economies to adopt policies to promote trade and services, ratify the trade facilitation agreement (TFA) and commence steps on rapid implementation of their TFA commitments, as well as accelerate investments in resilient infrastructure.

Moreover, Magsaysay-Ho identified other global megatrends shaping the future, which are the unprecedented rise in urbanization, and climate change and resource scarcity amid growing population and middle class.

”Excellencies, these megatrends are bringing challenges and new opportunities. More than ever, we need to come together for collective action towards greater regional economic integration to achieve our shared vision of a secure, stable and prosperous region for everyone through inclusive, quality and sustainable growth,” she said. PNA (ldv)

“Some of our policemen were injured despite their adherence to the maximum tolerance policy and they were still provoked. (These) people caused injuries and harm to our people. Definitely, it is just right to file legal charges against them,” he told reporters during a press briefing at the International Media Center at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

He also defended the use of water cannons to “cool down” protesters.

Protesters from leftist groups on Thursday morning were able to march on Buendia and Roxas Boulevard near the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), where the APEC leaders were meeting.

However, police forces were able to stop the protesters from going near the PICC and the World Trade Center, where the International Media Center is located, by firing water cannons at the group.

Mayor said the cannons were “not pressurized to hit or cause injuries”.

“Basically, the intention is to cool down emotions that everybody is experiencing now,” he added.

Aside from the presence of world leaders, particularly US President Barack Obama, Bayan Muna was also protesting the gridlock caused by holding the APEC Summit in Manila that bothered ordinary citizens, whose economic activities were all halted because of road closures around the metro.

But Mayor noted that the PNP was asked to only use “reasonable force if necessary”.

“(We will use) maximum restraint and maximum tolerance, especially in this kind of confrontation. Maximum tolerance pertains to the policemen’s attitude or behavior of policemen to this kind of situation,” he added.

“Policemen should have the particular highest degree of patience, so as not to be provoked by these protesters.”

Mayor declined to identify the groups behind the protests, but said they would be named after the situation calms down.

He said there was already a negotiation between the PNP and the protesters, even before the APEC meeting, but the groups still opted to push through with the protest.

Earlier, the Chinese Embassy in Manila asked the Philippine government to stop possible protests against President Xi Jinping, who is in Manila for the APEC summit.

Protests against the Chinese Embassy have been held in the past because of China’s reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

The economic bloc, he added, must also lay out what needs to be done to widen social inclusion, and strengthen institution building and environmental responsibility.

“Today, we shall assess where we are, and decide where we want to go, so that we can plan how to get there,” he told fellow APEC leaders.

“Together, we can write a growth story with a vision of economic prosperity and interconnectedness felt at all levels. As regional economic integration continues to take form, APEC’s role – when viewed through the prism of inclusive growth – will be defined not only according to the future of economies but also of the people that drive economic growth.”

Nearly two decades since the country’s hosting in 1996, the APEC returns to the Philippines in a milestone year, not just for the Asia Pacific, but for the world, the President said.

This year, he said, the APEC is five years away from the Bogor Goals 2020 and the grouping marks the end of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and the beginning of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Countries meeting for the Conference of Parties or COP 21 in Paris also hopes to make a lasting impact on climate change, and the APEC hopes to advance the implementation of the Bali Package at the World Trade Organization Conference 10 in Kenya, he added.

The Manila meeting, he said, is certainly an opportune time for APEC member economies to reflect on how to move into the future.

“This APEC hosting also presents the chance for the Philippines to showcase the results of reform,” the President said, citing the country’s strong economic growth that resulted from good governance and critical structural reforms in the bureaucracy, as well as people support.

“Furthermore, we are proud of our growth not just for growth’s sake, but because the Philippines has set aside trickle down economics and chosen to invest in our people so that our growth is felt by each and every citizen,” he noted.

“We threw our full support behind programs such as our conditional cash transfer program, training for work scholarships, and a universal health care program, all of which help our people regain control of their own destinies.”

President Aquino further said that the Philippines’ approach to APEC has always been guided by the common aspiration for prosperity in the Asia Pacific prosperity.

Building on APEC’s achievements over the past generation, he said, the Philippines is hosting the APEC with a people-centered agenda that embraces all segments of society as invaluable participants in a growth that is holistic.

“In short, growth that balances the pressing needs of the present with our shared mission of leaving behind a region and a world that is better than we found it,” President Aquino said, expressing hope that this year’s Retreat will become “an incubator for ideas that improve our region’s prospects for the future”. PND (as)

In their 2015 APEC Leaders’ Declaration issued following their retreat, the APEC leaders ordered their respective Ministers to implement actions laid out in the Boracay Action Agenda and report their progress to them by 2020.

“We live in a connected world in which many goods and services are no longer produced in one location but are the result of firms cooperating within and across our borders,” they said in their declaration.

By adopting the agenda created in Cebu by Trade Ministers, the APEC leaders expressed their belief that this action will benefit consumers, create jobs, and foster development.

“We need all our businesses, regardless of size, to connect to where opportunities exist,” the leaders said.

Aside from establishing connection within and across neighboring countries, the 21 economies also plan to develop policies that take “full advantage of global value chains (GVC) and encourage greater participation and added value” for MSMEs.

They will also promote competition, entrepreneurship, and innovation through “balanced intellectual property (IP) systems and capacity building”.

The Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs is an action-oriented initiative that supports the APEC’s ongoing work to address the barriers faced by MSMEs in international trade.

Through the agenda, member economies will facilitate micro and small enterprises’ access to regional and global markets in the identified priority areas for cooperation and action on trade facilitation, e-commerce, financing and institutional support, including for women-led MSMEs.

The APEC leaders also decided to adopt the Services Cooperation Framework to ensure that all the country’s citizens benefit from and contribute to high quality growth.

“We instruct our officials to develop a strategic and long-term Services Competitiveness Roadmap in 2016 with the adoption of a concerted set of actions and mutually agreed targets to be achieved by 2025. We appreciate services-related initiatives, such as manufacturing-related services,” they said in the declaration. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“In any hosting of a multilateral meeting, the fact that the meeting progresses without any major hitches or no major contentious issues, it is already considered a success,” Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr., Director General of the APEC 2015 National Organizing Council, said during a press conference on Thursday.

“I think, even more so now… many of our objectives were actually realized,” he said.

First, Paynor said, was the idea of inclusive growth.

“Most of the economies agreed that inclusive growth is, in fact, something that all of us can agree to,” he said.

Second is the globalization of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which comprise 90 percent of total manufacturing facilities in the Philippines, he said.

Third is providing MSMEs financing and education as to how to manage their businesses, and fourth is sustainable communities, he said, explaining that when APEC members grow and help communities, they should be able to sustain themselves.

And the only way that they can grow is by having trade and manufacturing concerns addressed by the regional trade bloc, he added.

Paynor however said a lot more work need to be done.

He cited as an example “the very, very low rate” of ease of doing business in the Philippines, where it still takes 25 days to establish or register a business, compared to only a few days in other countries.

“On that particular aspect, I think we need to do something about it. In any case, when the policies are set, the rest is up to us now to work on these things so that in the end, we all benefit from it,” Paynor said.

On the numerous complaints about the traffic jam caused by the APEC hosting, he said every member economy that hosted the APEC had made sacrifices.

“When we host, we know that we have to sacrifice a bit and we don’t host every year. In fact, the last time we hosted was 19 years ago,” he said.

“I think, if we look at it from a different perspective, from the other side of the coin as it were, it’s a little sacrifice compared to the benefits that we will, in the years to come, gain out of membership from APEC,” Paynor said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In the 2015 APEC Leaders Declaration, they reaffirmed their goals to cut total energy intensity by 45 percent by 2035 and double renewable energy in the regional energy mix by 2030. They recognized that these are needed to achieve sustainable and resilient energy development within the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders also committed to “rationalize and phase out over the medium term fossil fuel subsidies,” which according to the International Monetary Fund cost $5.3 trillion this year, because they are inefficient and encourage wasteful consumption.

Responding to the fact that the region overlaps the Pacific Ring of Fire, where typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, rising sea levels, and pandemics make the region vulnerable, and the “new normal” due to climate change, the leaders adopted the APEC Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Framework for collective action.

The following 10 APEC economies are located within the Pacific Ring of Fire: Chile, Peru, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, Japan, and New Zealand.

As part of their transition to low-carbon economy, the leaders committed to “explore the contribution of biofuels, civil nuclear power as a base load power source, advanced coal technologies, liquefied natural gas, solar, wind, and marine energy technologies.”

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) in Paris from November 30 to December 11, all world leaders will seek to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit the global temperature increase to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels.

Going beyond the framework intended to minimize losses, the leaders instructed their ministers to craft an action plan in 2016 to operationalize it. They commended the financial ministers’ efforts to develop innovative disaster risk financing and insurance mechanisms in relation to natural disasters.

The leaders asked their science officials to provide “coordinated and scientific advice surrounding and during emergencies” and welcomed the development of the Healthy Asia-Pacific 2020 Roadmap, which among others set collaboration in detecting and preventing the spread of diseases.

The 21 APEC leaders also thanked its members that have volunteered to undergo peer review on inefficient fossil fuel subsidy. Peru and New Zealand have completed the review, while the Philippines, Vietnam, Chinese-Taipei, and Brunei have volunteered to participate, according to the ministers.

Concretely, the APEC Sustainable Energy Center and the Task Force on Energy Resiliency have been established to accomplish its goals to promote energy security and sustainable development while providing energy access to those who need it.

To conserve biodiversity and mitigate and adapt to climate change, the 21 APEC leaders reiterated their commitment in 2007 to increase by at least 20 million hectares of all types of forests by 2020, as well as stop illegal logging and wildlife trafficking.

A non-binding formation, APEC nevertheless sets the direction for a wide-ranging economic initiatives for its 21 member economies, which altogether account for more than half of the world’s GDP and brings together three of the world’s most powerful countries of US, China, and Japan. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“The US and Australia, among other economies, expressed their support for this particular endeavor.”

The President also expressed elation over the news that the US would be turning over to the Philippines a research vessel and a coast guard cutter, which will boost the capabilities of the country’s Navy.

The TPP is a trade agreement among 12 Pacific Rim countries concerning a variety of matters on economic policy, reaching an agreement last month after eight years of negotiation.

The TPP’s goal is to promote economic growth, support job creation, enhance innovation, productivity and competitiveness, reduce poverty, and raise living standards.

It also aims to promote transparency and good governance, and enhance labor and environmental protection.

During the APEC Leaders’ Week, President Aquino separately met with fellow leaders, forging several agreements.

For instance, during the meeting with Mexico and Russia, the Philippines and its partners committed to work together to combat drug trafficking, a common concern of their peoples.

The Philippines meanwhile offered assistance that would support Papua New Guinea’s agriculture sector.

The country also formalized this week its strategic partnership with Vietnam and its comprehensive partnership with Australia, the President said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

The trade bloc will focus its reform efforts, and measure progress, in terms of institution building, social cohesion, and environmental impact, he said.

“We do this with the awareness that the world economy continues to confront significant risk and uncertainty, even as trade growth is slowing down, thus impressing upon all of us, the need to tap into new opportunities for economic growth,” he said, adding the strategy will help the APEC promote increased growth through structural reform.

Second, the APEC leaders also approved the APEC Services Cooperation Framework, he said, noting that the services sector is becoming a more important part of the economic equation.

The services sector makes up approximately two-thirds of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the APEC region, and the grouping needs to put more emphasis and thought into making this sector more competitive, he said.

“This Framework will lead to a goal-driven roadmap for us to achieve over the next decade, to help the sector thrive.”

For its part, the Philippines took the opportunity to meet with leaders of economies, as well as leaders in the private sector, who had gathered in Manila for the APEC meeting.

The President met with the leaders of Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Australia, South Korea, the US, and Russia.

In his statement, the President also thanked individuals and organizations who extended their help to make the country’s APEC hosting a success.

“For all these successes, I thank all those who worked tirelessly to make this event possible,” he said.
“Most importantly, I am grateful to our countrymen who have expressed their support for our hosting.”

“All my fellow leaders heaped praise on how our people have welcomed them, and their words really made me swell up with pride,” the President said, adding that with the continued support of other economies, the Philippines will continue to develop in the coming years. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

The first factor, deeper regional integration, is a priority in the Asia-Pacific region, Prime Minister Medvedev said during the APEC CEO Summit hosted in Manila. He said this has long been the advocacy of Russia.

The Prime Minister said Russia believes that the preferential trade agreements signed within the APEC’s framework, though very important, should not replace or damage but complement the multilateral trade system and the existing economic ties.

Considering this strategic goal, Medvedev said, it is of crucial importance that global trade rules should remain universal and should be developed at a common platform, primarily the World Trade Organization, for this is what it was created for.

“It is logical that all concerned parties should be involved in this work,” he said. “This is the only way to coordinate absolutely legitimate standards that would be applicable to all members. Hence, I consider it of utmost importance for the Asia-Pacific forum to maintain a common and consistent stance on strengthening the multilateral trade system, including within the framework of the Bogor Goals,” he said.

The second factor, which concerns innovation and human capital development, offers a lot of new opportunities for business, including small and medium enterprises, said Medvedev who attended this year’s APEC Summit on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said that in this aspect, APEC economies need to complement one another in the spheres of research, experimental capability, human and educational potential, and the commercialization of innovations.

According to Medvedev, the joint, practical use of these advantages will create a new quality of economic development in the region.

“Russia is ready to contribute to this joint work,” he stressed.

However, regional integration, breakthrough innovations and the development of human capital will not be possible without the third factor: investment.

Medvedev said Russia intends to contribute to the settlement of the most challenging regional issues, such as energy and food security.

“There are broad opportunities for expanding the cooperation agendas for APEC member economies, but what is really needed is for businesses to combine efforts with the governments to use these opportunities in the best interests of the Asia-Pacific region,” he pointed out. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In the declaration, officially issued Thursday afternoon following their retreat, the APEC leaders reaffirmed their commitment “to advance the process in a comprehensive and systematic manner towards the eventual realization of the FTAAP as a major instrument to further APEC’s regional economic integration agenda”.

“We reiterate our belief that the FTAAP should be pursued as a comprehensive free trade agreement by building on ongoing regional undertakings,” the declaration read, commending also the progress by officials working on the implementation of the Beijing Roadmap for APEC’s Contribution to the Realization of the FTAAP.

Such progress includes the Collective Strategic Study on Issues Related to the Realization of the FTAAP, the Information Sharing Mechanism, and the 2nd Capacity Building Needs Initiative (CBNI).

“We instruct Ministers and officials to continue this work and, in particular, we look forward to receiving the findings and accompanying recommendations of the Collective Strategic Study when we meet again next year in Peru,” the declaration added.

Peru will be the host for next year’s APEC meetings.

The FTAAP, China’s landmark initiative in last year’s APEC summit, would help consolidate the various bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in the region to prevent what many fear could lead to fragmentation.

The declaration said the FTAAP should be able to address “next generation trade and investment issues”.

Related to the consolidation of a number of bilateral and multilateral trade mechanisms in the region are the negotiations for the Washington-led Trans-Pacific Partnership and another China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Current members of the TPP, which met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the APEC leaders’ summit, are Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, United States, and Vietnam—all APEC members as well.

The Philippines has earlier signified its intention to join the group.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a call for the realization of the FTAAP during his keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel on Wednesday morning while US President Obama said the TPP is “the highest standard and most progressive trade deal ever concluded” during a first-ever meeting among TPP members since it was concluded last month. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“We must steer the giant ship of this Asia-Pacific economy in the right direction. All economies in the region of Asia Pacific must act in a responsible manner and work in unison to promote global growth,” President Xi said during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Makati City on Wednesday.

He also encouraged the APEC leaders to “accelerate the realization of FTAAP and take regional economic integration forward” to find new growth areas and strengthen the Asia-Pacific status as a “growth engine”.

”We need to encourage equal-footed participation and extensive consultation and make free trade arrangements open and inclusive,” he added.

The FTAAP, China’s landmark initiative in last year’s APEC summit, helps consolidate the various bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in the region, and minimize the risks caused by overlapping and fragmented free trade arrangements.

President Xi further urged the APEC leaders to commit themselves to a mutual cooperation and promote fair competition in the region.

He noted the APEC’s potential as a “policy platform and incubator for strengthened cooperation”, particularly in areas such as the Internet economy, blue economy, green economy, red economy, and urbanization. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“I’d like to remind you that two-thirds of Russia’s territory is located in Asia, and hence Russia is inseparably linked to this region,” said Prime Minister Medvedev, who is attending the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said events such as the AELM help strengthen cooperation in all spheres and that this stance is fully in keeping with Russia’s policy in the Asia Pacific.

He described the theme of the 2015 APEC CEO Summit, “Creating the Future: Better. Stronger. Together.”, as a good theme but noted that it is “doubly important in the current situation”, given the recent tragic events perpetrated by terrorists.

Medvedev said the terrorist attacks against Russia and France are “spearheaded against the entire world”.

“The growth of terrorism is a global challenge, a challenge to the entire civilized world,” he stressed. “And we must give a common answer to it by coordinating and joining our efforts.”

Medvedev declared that the downing of a Russian airplane over the Sinai Peninsula, in which 224 people died, and the indiscriminate killing of people in Paris are crimes committed not against an individual country, but against the entire world, “and so it is together that we must stand against terrorism”.

He likewise expressed Russia’s gratitude to the host, the Philippines, for the “excellent organization” of APEC 2015.

“I am honored to be able to address this respected platform, the APEC CEO Summit, which took time to become established but is now by rights considered an economic and political barometer in the Asia-Pacific region and the world,” he said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit on Thursday, the Chinese leader carefully navigated such questions as how to keep the Asia-Pacific economy on the right track and how to find new growth areas and strengthen the region’s status as a growth engine.

“To address the deep-seated problems in the world economy, monetary stimulus alone is not enough,” said President Xi.

“We must commit ourselves to even greater efforts to advance economic structural reform so as to better adapt supply to the changing pattern of demand. This is an area where the Asia Pacific should take the lead by adopting new approach, model and pathway of development.”

According to him, member economies must press ahead with reform and innovation and leverage the role of the APEC as a policy platform and an “incubator” for strengthened cooperation in such areas as Internet economy, blue economy, green economy and urbanization, with a view to improving the region’s capacity for independent innovation.

“Facing the dangerous rapids and shoals in the world economy, we must steer the giant ship of the Asia Pacific in the right direction,” he stressed. “All economies in the region must act in a responsible manner and work in unison to promote global growth.”

President Xi said efforts should also be made “to expedite industrial upgrading so that science and technology innovation will bring about new products, management and business models, move Asia-Pacific economies up in the global supply chain and enable us to jointly build and benefit from a coordinated, open and inclusive global value chain.”

“While developed economies need to be more forthcoming about sharing best practices and transferring technologies, developing economies should explore more boldly, increase input and try to catch up more quickly,” he explained.

The Chinese leader acknowledged that Asia-Pacific business communities represent a principal force for development and a pioneer in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Having made significant contributions to regional prosperity and development, they “carry an important mission to shape the region’s future”, he said.

He further recognized that China owes its development to the Asia Pacific, thus it will “continue to anchor ourselves here and deliver benefits to the region”.

“We welcome the continued participation of Asia-Pacific business communities in China’s development in which you can share our opportunities and potential benefits,” he said. “We also look forward to your greater contribution to the region’s long-term economic development and to the strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy.” (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“Excellencies, I thank all of you for an extremely productive start to our discussions. However, let me assure you that tonight’s dinner will not feature a menu of policy and statistics,” the President said in his welcome remarks.

He said he believes that Wednesday’s welcome dinner will allow leaders of the 21-APEC member economies to strengthen old friendships, and provide an opportunity to make new ones.

The President praised China, under President Xi Jinping, for leading a truly impressive APEC hosting last year, adding, “tonight, we Filipinos want to share something of our culture through our food, songs, and dance.”

“And it is my hope you will see why so many have said it is more fun in the Philippines,” highlighting Filipino hospitality and generosity.

And more than the food they partake, the President said it is about the bond that is formed, and the sharing that takes place, as well as the communication between friends.

Prior to the welcome dinner, the President had a busy schedule Wednesday, meeting the leaders of the US, Australia, and Russia.

The President also led the meeting with the APEC Business Advisory Council together with his fellow APEC leaders at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

He also joined other leaders during the meeting of APEC and the Pacific Alliance held also at the PICC. PND (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

During a forum at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit that he moderated, President Obama highlighted the government’s role in providing tax incentives and subsidies for entrepreneurs to be able to produce clean energy.

Solar energy, for example, requires heavy subsidies on the front end, but the reduced cost per BTU in the past years “exceeded many of our expectations”, he said.

“And increasingly, the subsidies become less and less necessary. So, early phase, you may need some support. Over time, less support,” he said.

President Obama noted the need for government support in terms of financing research and development, so that young entrepreneurs, such as Aisa Mijeno, founder of SALt, a startup that produces energy using saltwater, could nurture ideas and innovative solutions.

Building a research and development facility is something most businesses are naught to do because there is no immediate payoff, he said.

“Most of the businesses of the people in this audience, you have an R&D budget, but oftentimes it’s commercializing a technology that’s relatively proven, tweaking it,” the American head of state said.

“Where governments can do what is hard for companies to do is that front-end basic research that doesn’t have necessarily an immediate payoff, but will then serve as the laboratories for young people like Aisa to discover — based on that basic research, I’ve got a new idea, and I can do something else,” he added.

Last-minute changes had the US President moderating the forum with Mijeno and Jack Ma, founder of top e-commerce platform, Alibaba.

Turning to Ma, Obama asked if investing in clean energy is something new to businessmen like him, citing China as an example of a growing economy that suddenly had to deal with environmental issues.

“Like the earlier patterns of England or the United States, when a country is growing rapidly, it doesn’t pay a lot of attention to the environment. As it enters into sort of middle-income status, suddenly people start looking at cancer rates,” he said.

“They start looking at the air, the water, and you become more conscious that that’s a good value that we have to prize and care about,” he pointed out.

Ma, for his part, recalled organizing Paradise International Foundation, which saw at least 45 business leaders in China investing in the conservation of environment “because there are a lot of things business could do”.

Like Obama, he believes both the government and the private sector must play roles in addressing pressing environmental concerns.

“It’s too late to complain whose fault. Whether your fault or my fault, let’s solve the problem together. It’s the combination–we’re combining the work of government, private sectors, scientists, and sociologists and philanthropists. We have to work together,” Ma said.

The government, businesses and scientists must work together, he added, to take action and fight against the deteriorating state of the environment. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In his speech during the CEO gathering on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, President Obama also urged all business owners and the private sector to go for renewable energy technology as it can generate new jobs and investments.

“Your business can be right by your bottom line and by our planet and future generations. The old rules that said we can’t grow our economy and protect our environment at the same time — these are outdated,” President Obama said before thousands of chief executive officers.

He also said if businessmen began reducing emissions in their operations, it could pressure all governments to sign the framework to protect the environment.

President Obama and other state leaders are set to convene in Paris to finalize the carbon-cutting pact.

He said having this deal could prompt investors to invest in clean energy technologies and could generate new jobs and investment.

“An ambitious agreement in Paris will prompt investors to invest in clean energy technologies because they will understand the world is committed to a low-carbon future,” he said.

So far, he said, more than 160 countries representing about 90 percent of global emissions have put forward climate targets for post-2020.

“That’s a signal to the private sector to go all-in on renewable energy technologies. And if we can get an agreement done, it could drive new jobs and opportunities, and investment in a global economy that, frankly, needs a boost right now,” he said.

President Obama noted that a change in environment has great impact in all countries and businesses globally and that governments should start mitigating the worse effects.

“No nation is immune to the consequences of a changing climate. But with its many low-lying islands, its coastal regions that are vulnerable to flooding and land loss, few regions have more at stake in meeting this challenge than the Asia-Pacific region,” he said.

“We know that no single weather event is necessarily caused by climate change alone. But the patterns and the science don’t lie — temperatures and sea levels are rising; ice caps are melting; storms are strengthening. If we want to prevent the worst effects of climate change before it’s too late, the time to act is now,” the American leader said, adding that China has already pledged to peak, and reduce, its carbon emissions while the Philippines is already boosting its wind power.

The APEC, he said, is working to double renewable energy and reduce energy intensity by 45 percent over the next two decades.

“And through the Green Climate Fund and other avenues, the international community is helping developing nations to adapt to climate change and, as I said, leapfrog over the dirtier phases of development,” he said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“What we don’t realize is how fast the population is ageing among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries,” Kanak said at the APEC CEO Summit 2015 dialogue on “Strategies for Growth, Equity, and Resilience”.

“Many countries do not have a pension system,” he said, recommending partnerships between the government and the private sector in providing the public with health protection.

Kanak then cited the experience of Western countries, where most people have insurance.

For his part, Allan Gabor, President and CEO of Merck Biopharma China, called for increased government expenditure on health care, particularly for women, who comprise a significant number of the labor force.

Investments on health care boost productivity and growth in the economy, Gabor said.

At the same time, the pharmaceutical giant’s chief said APEC economies should invest in health information awareness among employees.

These policies, Gabor said, would benefit women workers, particularly those who are indigenous, cross-border, migrant, unregulated, casual, and urban poor.

During an earlier ministerial meeting, health ministers, together with the private sector, created the “Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit” to be presented to the APEC Leaders on Wednesday, for inclusion in their declaration.

So far, the Philippines, Mexico, and Peru said they support and commit to adopting the toolkit, which among others, seek to improve access to health care through health insurance.

Gabor said his company will help APEC economies disseminate the toolkit. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In his keynote address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, held at the Makati Shangri-La, President Xi offered Chinese trade and investment initiatives as solutions to global challenges that could hamper growth in the region.

Amid a backdrop of “multiple challenges” that could lead to disorderly capital flow and weak investment, President Xi invited APEC member economies to join the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP), which he said offers a “win-win situation” for countries in the Pacific Rim.

“Accelerate the realization of FTAAP (and) take regional integration forward, encourage equal footing participation, a free trade engagement (that is) open and inclusive,” he said.

The Chinese leader admitted that there have been fears that the entrance of the FTAAP initiative in the Asia-Pacific region would create fragmentation among the economies.

He however said this “unique path of regional cooperation” would pave the way for an Asia Pacific that has “greater openness, greater integration, and greater development.”

First developed by the US to create a trading group incorporating both Washington and Beijing, China chose the FTAAP as its landmark initiative during the APEC Summit in 2014 in Beijing.

Professor Richard Heydarian of the De La Salle University has described the FTAAP as “a major trade agreement covering most major economies in the Asia Pacific” that will be “less stringent in its regulatory implications, but will heavily benefit Chinese exporters”.

President Xi also mentioned the advantages introduced by two other China-led initiatives–the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the 21st Maritime Silk Road.

The AIIB, to be launched later this year and joined by 50 countries, is a China-proposed “new style of investment and financing institution”, aimed at bolstering infrastructure development in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is seen by some as a rival to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), both dominated by the United States.

On the other hand, the 21st Maritime Silk Road is a strategic initiative proposed by Beijing for easier facilitation of trade in Southeast Asia. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

”The two leaders noted their countries’ common concerns on combating illegal drug trade and drug abuse,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. informed the Malacañang media.

”Like Colombia, the Philippines is taking steps to improve people’s quality of life by bringing social opportunities closer to them, thus channeling their energies to legitimate sources of income,” Coloma added.

Coloma said Pres. Santos offered Colombia’s knowledge and experience in anti-insurgency and anti-illegal drugs campaign, citing decades-long fight in these two fronts.

Pres. Aquino also congratulated the Colombian leader for significant developments in Colombia’s peace process and negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

”President Aquino expressed good wishes on scheduled signing of final agreement in 2016,” Coloma said.

Coloma said Pres. Aquino offered the Philippines’ assistance and advice in the peace process.

The Philippine government is also conducting a similar peace negotiation with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) and the Muslim rebels in Mindanao.

At present, Malacañang is pushing for Congress passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which, if passed into law, would lead to the successful peace negotiation between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Aquino also shared the Philippines’ experiences on programs such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s) or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program and PhilHealth universal health care to address poverty issues that previously bred insurgency, noting common challenges faced by both countries.

Santos, according to Coloma, is looking up to the Philippines as a vital resource in adapting to and mitigating the effects of the climate change.

”President Aquino said that the Philippines will share learning and best practices in building back better and establishing disaster resiliency,” Coloma said.

Aquino also thanked the Colombian president for accepting the invitation to participate in the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)-Pacific Alliance informal conversation.
”He noted that the efforts and initiatives of Colombia to become a part of APEC will hopefully find full fruition in the near future,” Coloma said.

Santos is the second leader who held bilateral meeting with Pres. Aquino during the ongoing 2015 APEC Summit.

Last Monday, Pres. Aquino and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet held expanded bilateral meeting that resulted in the signing of two agreements on trade and disaster risk reduction management. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In a press briefing at the International Media Center at the World Trade Center, Secretary del Rosario said the APEC Services Cooperation Framework will develop a Services Competitiveness Roadmap to improve trade and investment in the services sector over the next 10 years.

“This work is vital because we know that every US$1 million of services exports generate 105 jobs; whereas goods exports generate only 59 jobs for the same amount. Not only (does) the services trade create new jobs but it allows people from all parts of the economy to participate in the economic and social mainstream,” he said, noting that in the Philippines, services account for more than 50 percent of the total gross domestic product in a given year.

Meanwhile, the strategy to strengthen quality growth was borne out of the Philippines’ leadership to expand discussions on the unique relationship between trade and development, he said.

“We considered that one of the key ways to achieve quality economic growth is through good governance measures,” del Rosario said.

“The strategy focuses on institution building through governance, social cohesion and environmental impact of economic activities as key accountability areas for each economy. It underscores how quality growth is not just about the economic well-being of every individual and of every economy but also about how growth can be sustained over the medium to long term through a whole of economy approach.”

The strategy, he said, will enable the APEC’s development agenda to come to full fruition.

Del Rosario also expressed his gratitude to the APEC ministers who continue to support the Philippines’ chairmanship of the APEC 2015 summit. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Secretary del Rosario said the ministers were not able to come up with a group position on the terrorist attack against France, but noted that “everyone spoke the same language” of sympathy and condemnation.

“I don’t think we did as ministers,” he said when asked about including the Paris attacks in their joint statement.

Del Rosario, together with Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, held the APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) press conference at the International Media Center (IMC) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

There was a “common refrain” wherein “everyone expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks”, he said.

“There was a call for unity of nations and peoples, and there was traditionally, a call for bringing to justice those who perpetuated the horrific developments in Paris last Friday (November 13),” del Rosario said, adding that each minister commented on the terrorist attacks in Paris.

Although these commentaries were contained in the minutes of the ministers’ meeting, there was no stand-alone statement for it, nor was it included in their joint statement.

“These are personal expressions of sympathies and condemnation,” del Rosario said.

Paris was rocked on Friday last week by separate bombings and ambushes in at least six central locations.

About 129 were confirmed dead and 300 were injured, 100 of whom were critical, in the hands of terrorists who have been identified as members of the Syria-based Islamic State. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Philippine Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said the TPP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and other bilateral and regional trade agreements are “all building blocks” for the economic integration of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region.

Domingo said such trade agreements also provide benefits to multilateral trading system, which is the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“Because by having more of this regional or bilateral, plurilateral type of agreements, we actually advance the position of the free trade regimes which makes it easier to conclude at a bigger group such as the FTAAP and eventually the WTO. So these are all building blocks, that’s how it is deemed,” he said in a press conference Tuesday after the conclusion of the APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM).

The US-led TPP, the ASEAN-based RCEP process and the Pacific Alliance are the three proposed pathways to the FTAAP.

The trade official said the initial version of the strategic study on issues related to realization of the FTAAP is expected to be completed by January next year.

“Basically, they’d like to see the work continue on the study for FTAAP and there is a target that the submission of a comprehensive study and accompanying recommendations by the end of 2016,” Domingo said.

The study would be reported to the APEC Leaders when they meet in Peru by end of 2016. Peru is next year’s APEC host economy.
APEC economies expect the FTAAP can boost economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Once in place, it could dwarf all other economic arrangements made given its size and scope.

APEC’s 21 member economies control half of the world trade and account for 60 percent of the global economy. They are home to nearly three billion consumers in some of the world’s most vibrant economies.

APEC’s member economies are the United States; Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Republic of Korea; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; and Viet Nam. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh signed the agreement during the bilateral meeting between President Benigno Aquino III and Vietnam President Truong Tan Sang at the Malacanang Palace.

”I am truly pleased to say that today our Foreign Ministers signed the Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between our countries, a vital step towards strengthening the friendship our peoples have enjoyed all these centuries,” President Aquino said in a joint press statement after the two leaders’ bilateral talks.”President Aquino and I just had fruitful talks with many tangible outcomes. This is indeed a historic event, marking a new era for cooperation between our two countries, while making contributions to the maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in the region,” the Vietnam leader, for his part, said.

The two leaders also affirmed joint efforts in establishing strategic partnership in political; judicial and law enforcement cooperation; and, socio-cultural, technical & multilateral cooperation, according to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

President Aquino said the agreement on the establishment of a strategic partnership is a vital step towards strengthening the friendship that the peoples of the two countries have enjoyed “all these centuries.”

”This comes at an auspicious period as we prepare for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam, come 2016,” President Aquino said.

The two leaders also intensified maritime cooperation in maritime safety and law enforcement amid reports of China’s massive structures building in the West Philippine Sea which is also being partly claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam.
”Mr. President and I shared our concerns over the recent developments in the East Sea or the South China Sea, affecting trust, peace, security and stability in the region,” President Truong said.

”We also reaffirmed the importance of ensuring the stability, maritime security, safety and freedom of navigation and of flight in the South China Sea, as well as settling maritime disputes on the basis of international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he added.

President Aquino and President Truong also discussed cooperation in combating human and illegal drug trafficking, according to Coloma.

The two leaders also strongly denounced the terrorist attacks that killed 129 people in Paris last November 12.

”We also send the deepest condolences and our sympathy to the huge losses and casualties of the victims and their families as well as to the government and people of France. And we strongly believe that with the strong efforts, which are (being) undertaken by the French government and people, the terrorists will soon be brought to justice,” President Truong said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Vietnam also signed the Exchange of the Signed Protocol to amend the 2010 memorandum of agreement on the supply of Vietnamese rice to the Philippines.

President Truong arrived in Manila Tuesday morning with wife Mai Thi Hanh to attend the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit slated Nov. 18-19 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The 21 APEC member-economies include United States, Japan, China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Singapore, Hong Kong-China, Chinese Taipei, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

This took place at the Manila South Harbor where the Filipino warship was moored.The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar is the first ever ship transferred to the Philippines during Obama’s term. It was commissioned by the Philippine Navy (PN) in December 2011.

“The United States has been committed to the security of this region for more than 70 years. We have a treaty obligation, ironclad commitment to the defense of our ally the Philippines,” he said.

Obama arrived in the Philippines Tuesday for the Nov 18-19 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Manila.

“Our visit here underscores our shared commitment to the security of the waters of this region, and to freedom of navigation,” he said.

American help was demonstrated in the recent construction of a Coast Watch Center which was funded by US grants and instrumental in helping the country protect its maritime borders along with the former US cutter.

“This watch center was built with US grants. The ship that I just toured, a former US coast guard vessel, helps the Philippines respond to disasters, perform counter-terrorism missions and patrol the South China Sea,” Obama stressed.

In line with this, he also announced American intentions to transfer two additional ships to the Philippines.

This consists of a research vessel and another decommissioned US Coast Guard cutter.

“I can announce that we intend to transfer two additional ships to the Philippine Navy – a research vessel to help man its territorial waters and another Coast Guard cutter to bolster the Navy’s ability to conduct long endurance patrols,” Obama said.

He added these ships worth USD 250 million are part of their larger plan to increase maritime security assistance to their allies and partners across the Pacific Region.

“More capable navies and partnership with the United States are critical for the security of this region,” Obama said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

At the APEC CEO Summit 2015 in Makati City on Wednesday, Vice President Kalla said the strengthening of synergy of policies in both fora will support the recovery and stability of the global economy and ensure that growth would trickle down.

Indonesia is a member of both APEC and G20.

The G20 concluded its 2015 Summit in Antalya, Turkey on Monday and was attended by a number of APEC member economies, among them Indonesia, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.

The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), on the other hand, began on Wednesday.

“The G20 Meeting highlighted important priorities: global recovery and strengthening potentials, enhancing alliance and reinforcing sustainability. These priorities are very much in line with the theme of APEC this year, which focuses on growth and inclusiveness,” Kalla said.

“APEC and G20 share the same goals: maintain regional and global stability (and) promotion of equality and inclusiveness, which means no one will be left behind in the development process,” the Indonesian vice president stressed.

Kalla, who is attending the two-day AELM for Indonesian President Joko Widodo, said Indonesia expects greater cooperation among APEC member economies to achieve the forum’s targets of free and open trade and investments.

He noted that these targets of free and open trade and investments, known as the ‘Bogor Goals’, were declared by APEC Leaders in Bogor, Indonesia in 1994.

“Collaboration among nations is key for the global economy to make a turnaround,” he said.

On the part of Indonesia, he said, the government has opened its economy and developed a more conducive and fair business environment for all players — local or foreign.

“Indonesia continues to open its economy to all businessmen and foreign investors, including APEC economies to participate in the development in Asia. In return, we hope that our colleagues from other countries will do the same,” Kalla said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“Climate change is real and not a myth created by scientists to get funding. It is like cancer,” Mijeno said, citing the four stages of the disease — cell mutation, symptoms, manifest effects, and decline.

“I believe we are at Stage 2,” said the founder of SALt Lamps, which manufactures ocean water-powered lamps for island communities that are not connected to major power grids.

“Believe me, you don’t want to go to Stage 4,” interjected President Obama, who played host to tech giant Alibaba CEO Jack Ma and Mijeno.

At the start of his session, Obama made a pitch for renewable energy, noting how big US businesses like Apple, Google, and Costco are saving billions of dollars by tapping into solar and other renewable energy sources.

Obama said climate change could be viewed as a business opportunity.

The US President is one of 20 economic leaders from the Pacific Rim attending the APEC Summit that is being hosted by the Philippines. (PCOO APEC Communications Team)

At the APEC CEO Summit 2015, Fernandes recounted his own experience turning around a failing airline company into a successful ASEAN company with the help of his staff and their practical knowledge derived from working on their jobs every day.

When he and his partner started the company 14 years ago, they only had two planes. Now AirAsia has a fleet of 200 planes, each able to carry 2,000 passengers or a total of 55 million passengers every year.

Fernandes acknowledged that most AirAsia innovations, both products and processes, were suggested by his employees.

For instance, he initially resisted the ground crew’s suggestions to buy the machine that brings the luggage up into and down out of the plane, but as he himself did some of the heavy work (as part of his learning about airline operations), he became convinced that the expensive equipment was a necessity.

This active listening is a strategy that has worked for AirAsia, he said.

To match this strategy, Fernandes said he also dresses more casually to get AirAsia staff to talk to him.

Once, a dispatcher who left school at 14 approached him and told him that he has always wanted to become a pilot. Fernandes supported the boy and now, “he is one of the best pilots of AirAsia.”

Having his ear on the ground allows him to improve operations, he said. And these are just some of the ways he elicits points for improvement from his employees.

ASEAN AS A MARKET
More than having great workers, ASEAN has a potential market of 600 million people, slightly more than Europe’s population, Fernandes said.

“This is the ASEAN market and we have created an ASEAN company,” he said.

To cater to this market, AirAsia as a budget airline was conceptualized.

“We see enormous potential in Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia going forward, creating the ASEAN market,” he said.

Fernandes stressed that Asia Pacific’s biggest strength is its people — as a market and as human resource for companies.

“If we put people first, everyone wins,” he said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“I’m sorry to Malaysia and Singapore because we can’t control the wind. We don’t want the haze to be going everywhere, but we can’t control the wind,” Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said at the “Securing Growth in a Volatile World” session with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEOs held on Wednesday.

Vice President Kalla called for “international cooperation” to restore millions of hectares of biodiverse rainforests converted to single-species plantations.

These tropical rainforests benefit not only Indonesia but also the world, he said, expressing hope that his country would receive help in rehabilitating them.

Next year, Indonesia will work to reduce haze, he said, asking for cooperation because “we cannot do it alone, especially with El Niño.”

Many foreign companies are involved in the burning of Indonesia’s natural forests for conversion to palm plantations. The burning releases millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In his remarks at the APEC CEO Summit on Wednesday, President Obama stressed that there is “no contradiction between growth, development, and being good stewards of the planet”.

“We can transition to clean energy without squeezing businesses and consumers,” the American leader pointed out.

He cited as examples US-based companies Apple and Costco, which are among the largest companies that have invested in green technologies.

Just recently, Apple was lauded by Greenpeace as the world’s most environmentally big technology company, after committing to draw 100 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources over the long term.

This year, the company has begun work on two solar-powered data centers in Ireland and Denmark, and it is also constructing two major solar power projects in China’s Sichuan province.

According to President Obama, the US retail giant Walmart has been installing solar panels on its stores’ rooftops to improve its corporate image and control energy costs.

Walmart has even pledged to double its solar installations by 2020 and in the long term, it wants to get all of its electricity from renewables.

“Such companies have invested as much as US$168 billion for their environment-friendly measures,” he said.

President Obama underscored that economies “must act now” to prevent the worst effects of climate change before it is too late.

“No nation is immune to the consequences of a changing climate,” he said.

President Obama said an ambitious agreement in Paris will prompt investors to invest in clean energy technologies.

He was referring to the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), to be held in Paris this December.

Obama said the US has already built renewable energy plants last year while China pledged to reduce its global emissions.
The Philippines is even increasing its wind power, he said.

“We need clean and sustainable energy, good technologies,” said President Obama, noting that nations, including the Philippines, are now working towards addressing climate change. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

During the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Summit, Jack Ma shared that the company has helped 12 million small businesses in China grow through the use of its online platform to sell their products.

Ma said its sales in China have reached US$500 billion this year, with about 120 million people shopping at Alibaba’s site using mobile phones.

“I am interested how we can use this technology to influence more people, to help small business. Well, if China can do it, why the other nations cannot do it,” he noted.

Ma said the online shopping model provides huge business opportunities, especially with the so-called “internet generation”, comprising about 1.5 billion people in the world, born after 1980s.

“Let us think about this new generation (of) 1.5 billion people. They are different from ours. How we can change ourselves to meet their needs? This is the challenge,” he said.

Over the past 10 years, Ma observed that globalization has helped prop up the global economy, the big companies, and developed nations.

“The developing countries, the small guys, did not benefit enough from globalization,” he said. “In (the) next 20 years, we should use (the) WTO to support small guys… Small guys are the most innovative companies,” he said.

Ma said he expects more companies like Apple Inc., Alibaba, Amazon, e-Bay and Facebook, to be owned by the “internet generation” in the future. PNA (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

The President said that despite a very limited budget at the start of his administration, he immediately carried out aggressive reform and anti-corruption initiatives to revive the country’s economy and restore public confidence in government.

As part of the reform measures, the government undertook zero-based budgeting, reaching out to communities to known their budget need.

“We took advantage of technology to implement mechanisms to aid in transparency and accountability, through websites called Budget ng Bayan and Pera ng Bayan, which mean The People’s Budget and The People’s Money, respectively,” he told the Asia Pacific CEOs.

It addressed the classroom backlog of 66,800 and the shortages in seats and textbooks. The government also reformed the basic education cycle to conform to global standards, he said.

Aside from upgrading basic education, the government also put huge allocation to technical educational program, investing an average of around P7,155 for every scholar, improving their chances of landing a high paying job in the future.

The administration also invested heavily on infrastructure, he said. From 1.83 percent of GDP in 2010, the government increased infrastructure budget to 4.10 percent of GDP to spur growth.

“The goal is to have this figure reach 5 percent of GDP by next year. In fact, now we have to contend with a very different problem compared to what I encountered in Congress,” he said.

The President also highlighted the government ‘s conditional-cash-transfer program to the CEOs, which is the administration’s major thrust in eradicating poverty.

From less than 800,000 households in 2010, the number of CCT beneficiaries has grown to 4.4 million, or roughly equivalent to 22 million Filipinos today.

He said that while this program was designed with long-term effects in mind, the country has already enjoyed early success as a result of CCT.

In fact, this year, 333,673 CCT beneficiaries graduated from high school, 13,469 of whom graduated either with honors or other awards, the President said.

The initial results of Department of Social Welfare and Development’s most recent assessment reveal that at least 1.09 million households have been lifted from poverty, which is roughly equivalent to 5.45 million Filipinos, the President reported.

The Philippine growth strategy hinges on the idea of empowerment, he noted.

“Empowered citizens, after all, are empowered consumers, whose income will go to the goods and services produced by companies,” President Aquino said.

“The end result: Instead of having many big fish in a very small pond, we are moving our economic ecosystem into a bigger pond, where everybody can grow and reach their full potential.”

According to the President, he is sharing the Philippine success story because he believes other economies can do this on a regional scale.

“I believe if we work with each other’s economies, and if we harness the strengths of all our peoples, we can give rise not only to inclusive national economies, but to an Asia-Pacific where our citizens truly know what we talk about when we say ‘growth,'” he said.

“The leaders of our economies have gathered here under the banner of building inclusive economies, and by so doing building an inclusive world.”

At the same time, the chief executive said he believes that if APEC can fully engage the private sector in that mission, offering the many benefits brought about by inclusivity, it can achieve development sooner than later. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In developed countries, improvement in the education system has resulted in 5-percent growth.

Improving the education system can translate in an increase of $3,000 per person, Pedrosa said after he presented the PECC survey to the media.

PECC is an international non-profit organization that observes APEC.

More vocational courses for students and training programs for employees would address the job mismatch whereby graduates have different skills sets that employers need.

“Jobs change and the labor market is changing so quickly,” Pedrosa said.

“It is less about specific skills but the ability to learn more skills that will help (those looking for jobs),” he said.

Some jobs do not require a bachelor’s degree, but more vocational skills, Pedrosa said.

The jobs mismatch can also be addressed with more cooperation between the business community that employs people and the education sectors that trains them, he said.

Cooperation, he added, might be in terms of coming up with education and training programs for potential employees that will fit the qualifications employers are looking for.

Germany, which has an exemplary vocational training system, and Singapore have linked up their chambers of commerce and business federation with universities to come up with new courses in line with job trends, Pedrosa said.

The Philippines can do this for the service sector, he said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

ABAC 2015 Chair Doris Magsaysay-Ho, in a briefing Monday, said they expect their “two-fold” recommendations to generate new drivers of growth as well as address income inequality.

She explained that the traditional growth drivers “are running out of steam.”
“Export-led growth is no longer sufficient to drive economic prosperity. The major economies in the region are undergoing structural transformation toward domestic demand led growth,” she said.

Similarly, Ho said that integration of the APEC economies have lifted some people out of poverty but pointed out that income inequality also increased.

“At the same time, we faced challenges to the sustainability of growth with dwindling natural resources, the rising demand for food and energy and ever-present threat of natural resources,” she said.

Ho said the ABAC 2015 have proposed recommendations that include developing new sectors of opportunity in the services sector; the globalization of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); increasing productivity and sustainable use of resources through innovation and connectivity; strengthening of the financial markets; and helping economies become shock-resilient.

She noted that, for one, the services’ sector share in combined domestic output of APEC economies is about 66 percent, accounting for about 52 percent of total employment.

The industry also accounts for 40 percent of value of physical goods, she said.
“The key to unlocking the potential of services as an engine for growth lies in promoting its provision across borders thus, spurring efficiency and increasing availability,” she explained.

The 2015 ABAC Chair cited that hindrances to services trade “are not at the border but beyond the border in the form of regulation,” and these has not been focused on by APEC until recently.

She pointed out the conduct of three public-private dialogues on services will determine where the problem lies and how to address these.

“To generate momentum for the interest that this has awakened, we have supported the creation of an APEC Coalition of Services Organization to provide effective advocacy for the development of trade in services,” she said.

Also, participation of MSMEs in global exports is being pushed as it only accounts for less than 35 percent of exports even though the sector accounts for more than 97 percent of business in APEC-member countries and employs over 60 percent of people.

Ho said problems that bar MSME players from increasing their participation in global exports include complex customs requirements, access to foreign markets and financing.

“(These problems) can be addressed by a robust cross-border e-commerce infrastructure and e-payment systems,” she said.

“And so we have urged governments to take action to create a supportive ecosystem as a major step towards empowering MSMEs to go international,” she said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

The Colombian military aircraft carrying Santos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City at 4:25 p.m.

Colombia has been invited as a guest country at the high-level economic forum and will attend the Pacific Alliance dialogue together with the Latin American APEC members Chile, Peru, and Mexico.

Held in the presence of other APEC leaders, this dialogue among the four Pacific Alliance presidents will serve as a venue to identify possible areas of future collaboration and examine the integration process on both mechanisms.

The Colombian President was welcomed by Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jesus Domingo, Philippine Ambassador to Colombia Tito Saul Penilla, Jorge Araneta, and the Honorary Consul of Colombia Stella Marquez, among others.

Aside from Santos, two high-profile leaders also arrived on Monday — Chinese Taipei’s former Vice President Vincent Siew at NAIA Terminal 1, and Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill at the Villamor Air Base.

Meanwhile, Chile’s first woman president, Michelle Bachelet, was the first among the economic leaders to arrive in the country on Sunday afternoon to undertake her first state visit in the Philippines and hold bilateral talks with President Benigno Aquino III.

The Pacific Alliance is a regional group in Latin America comprised of four countries — Peru, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile.

The 21 APEC member-economies are the United States, Japan, China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Singapore, Hong Kong-China, Chinese Taipei, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

In a dialogue with Andrew Stevens, CNN’s Asia Pacific Editor, the chief executive was asked about the government’s response on the sluggish growth in global trade.

The President said that part of government investment in people is the tripling of the budget for health to shield them from catastrophic illnesses.

The government is also investing on community adaptability in relation to global climate change. There are also thrusts in education, both in the formal and Techvoc sectors, according to the President.

The government is also pouring more money for infrastructure development, he said. It has placed the infrastructure budget to five percent of GDP next year, something that an emerging country needs.

This is already producing opportunities for the country, he noted citing the dramatic increase in foreign tourist arrivals last year. He said he wants to double the number of domestic tourists next year.

“The point I guess that I am trying to raise is: we lost that decade (Arroyo administration), we have so many things to do to catch up. Even our own internal economy will necessarily propel us to even greater heights just to meet our own particular needs,” he said

Manufacturing is also another area, and he said it was an aspirational goal when his government started in 2010.

“But we have had I think for the last two or three years something like an average of eight percent growth in the manufacturing sector even before we have tackled them.”

The administration is also tackling the electricity rate, which is one of the highest in the region. He said they are still working to bring power rates down to a more reasonable level.

And despite the recent global developments, the President said he believes there is so much interest for the Philippines.

“There are those who used to partner with us that somehow forgot all about us that are coming back. There are those who are wondering why they ever came here to begin with,” he said.

The President attended Monday the APEC 2015: CEO Summit with the theme “APEC’s Inclusive Growth Imperative.” (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In his speech during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in Makati City, Aquino said his administration’s decision to adopt an inclusive growth theme helped address the country’s poverty situation since a holistic and cohesive national strategy was put in place.

“We knew we had to craft and relentlessly pursue a holistic and cohesive national strategy – one that can systematically respond to every debilitating aspect of poverty, with the belief that this good governance is good economics,” he said.

He said this was done without imposing new taxes although the Sin Tax Law was amended to primarily address the rising incidents of usage of the youth and the poor of sin products and to update the taxes on these products.

Proceeds of the reformed Sin Tax Law benefited the government’s health-related programs and the tobacco industry.

Aquino said focusing on the people — their welfare, health, and education — helped the economy a lot.

He said the move to increase the years of the basic education system and ensure that backlogs on textbooks and classrooms are addressed greatly helped empower the youth.

Ensuring that people also get quality skills training will aid them in getting jobs, thus, securing not only their future but the domestic economy as well since this will serve as among the major drivers of domestic expansion, he continued.

Aquino said the program to invest in education and skills training of poor citizens proved to be a win-win decision, as these people would be able to pay their taxes once they land jobs, and the taxes can be used to “help create even more opportunities for other Filipinos.”

Good governance reforms also enabled the government to have the financing needed to put up necessary infrastructure, which will have a long-term impact on the economy, he said.

Aquino said the proportion of the national government’s infrastructure budget to gross domestic product (GDP) stood at 1.83 percent in 2010 but has risen to 4.10 percent to date.

He said government targets to increase infrastructure investment to five percent of GDP by 2016.

Aquino said that problems lessened as the absorptive capacity of government agencies have improved.

With an improved budget, he said government now needs more skilled professionals to build the necessary infrastructure.

“Indeed, our entire growth strategy hinges on the idea of empowerment. Empowered citizens, after all, are empowered consumers, whose income will go to the goods and services produced by companies. The end result: instead of having many big fishes in a very small pond, we are moving our economic ecosystem into a bigger pond, where everybody can grow and reach their own potential,” he said.

Aquino said inclusivity is the key to attaining sustainable economic growth.

“If we can include our people in public life, in determining the path of our future, and in building our economy, it redounds to a more stable environment and to greater economic prosperity. In other words, it boosts our potential to levels never before seen,” he added. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Bachelet, at the summit’s opening on Monday, said not dealing with inequalities can pose risks in the economic growth of APEC.

“We all understood that economic growth is essential. And economic growth should be in the sense of shared prosperity,” she said.

“Because if you ask me, what are the possible conflicts in the region, what I can see as a risk is because we don’t deal with the inequalities,” she pointed out.

Bachelet added that the government should improve the condition of its people by continuing investments in human capital.

She cited that in Chile, the government approved fiscal reform that increases the social budget including education to 3.0 percent of its gross domestic product.

She stressed that government should provide quality education that will improve its workforce.

A better labor agenda should also be in place, said Bachelet.

Bachelet noted that democracy in every APEC economy is an essential factor to boost growth in the region.

“Democracy, that means good politics, fights corruption, and increases the capacity of people,” she stressed.

Bachelet will be in Manila until Nov. 19 for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and for a state visit in the Philippines. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“That’s precisely why I am here,” the Colombian leader said during the APEC Summit Focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship that discussed “The Next New Frontier” at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City. “We’ve been knocking on APEC’s door for the last 25 years. I hope the moratorium ends, and I hope next year, it would be lifted in Peru and we will be accepted.”

When he was still Colombia’s minister of foreign trade from 1991 to 1994, Santos was already “trying to get closer relations with Asia Pacific countries.”

Still without the membership, the Colombian president said he is “very honored” to be the only non-APEC member economy to be invited to this summit.

He argued that Colombia has a “great future” with “a lot of room” to grow in terms of trade and investment in Asia Pacific countries.

Santos said that Colombia is the “leading country in Latim America,” whose economy grew the fastest last year.

He added that it is also “bringing down poverty more than any other country.”

“We want to diversify. Therefore, for us to get into APEC is a priority and I hope my presence here will help,” Santos said.

Issues regarding the criteria for membership in the organization pushed APEC to issue a 10-year moratorium on membership in 1997.

But by the end of 2007, the moratorium was extended until 2010.

Among the APEC’s 21 member economies, only three countries–Chile, Peru and Mexico–come from South America, while no country from South Asia, including India, the 12th largest economy in the world, is a member.

Other APEC member-nations include the Philippines, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, China, Papua New Guinea, Russia and Vietnam.

Founded in 1989, APEC aims to enhance economic prosperity in the region through non-binding agreements that work to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers in the Pacific Rim.

APEC member-economies account for 40 percent of the world’s population, 54 percent of the global gross domestic product, and an estimated 44 percent of world trade. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

At the forum “Navigating Uncertainty,” Ian Bremmer, president and founder of the global political risk research and consulting firm Eurasia Group, said: “APEC is the place you want to be geo-politically…Clearly, out of APEC, everything is going wrong geo-politically: refugees, terror group, five failed states [in Africa]. And there’s going to be more.”

“Everything we’ve seen in the past two days in France and Syria is a slippery slope…And not just slippery, but steeper,” Bremmer said.

“It has weakened Europe,” he added.

Geo-politically, a relatively more stable Western Hemisphere and Asia will mean more investments going there.

“I’m not going to move money that way because I’m concerned,” he said.

Nevertheless, he recognizes that the situation in Asia due to the territorial dispute over the South China Sea creates uncertainty not just in the region, but in the world.

“Asia is a place where you see an awful lot of volatility – with China rising,” Bremmer said.

He, however, acknowledged that the leadership both in China and Japan understand that the issue should be viewed strategically.

“Both (Chinese President) Xi Jinping and (Japanese Prime Minister) Shinzo Abe understand that decisions [to solve the problem] take a longer term,” he said.

While Bremmer seemed reluctant to talk about the territorial dispute in the South China Sea because the topic is officially off-limits, he commented on the issue.

“As challenging as the political relations are between China and the Philippines, both sides understand that economic relationship needs to be strong and they are not going to ruin that,” he said.

Tension is high over the disputed territories in the South China Sea. The Philippines has brought China’s incursion into its waters before the United Nations international arbitral court. Two other APEC members United States and Japan have reacted strongly against the reclamation of rocks in these waters, seeing it as a form of aggression. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In an interview, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) secretary general Eduardo Pedrosa said the Philippines should continue implementing the reforms that promote inclusive growth in the coming years.

“If you’ll ask about the global slowdown, the Philippines isn’t (affected), it is unique. In recent years, the Philippines has been bucking the trend, actually accelerating growth compared to the (general) slowdown last year,” Pedrosa said after a press briefing at the World Trade Center.

“The Philippines needs continual reforms to promote growth, and the benefits of that you won’t see for a number of years,” he said.

For the APEC economies, while the regional economy has been resilient throughout the crisis, the economies in Asia Pacific still need to shift gears and begin implementing structural reforms, Pedrosa said.

“As APEC continues on its path towards regional economic integration, it needs to implement reforms that provides opportunities for all sectors of society,” he said.

From the global perspective, when regions shift gears in implementing structural reform, countries reduce poverty and achieve growth in the following years, Pedrosa said.

When APEC leaders gather in Manila, they should discuss ways to ensure that more people are part of the growth in the region, he suggested.

In a PECC survey conducted between December 2014 and October 2015, respondents from government, business, and academe said APEC leaders should focus on five areas in promoting inclusive growth: provide quality public education; reduce corruption; support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); provide quality health services; and provide social safety nets such as health care, unemployment, and pensions reforms.

“The biggest gain comes from innovation education,” Pedrosa said, presenting the survey results.

The respondents comprised of 163 government officials, 211 businessmen, 336 from non-government agencies, 291 from academic or research centers, 33 from the civil society, and 12 from the media. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

According to Secretary del Rosario, this initiative builds on the growth strategy and aims to further give traction to its five attributes: balanced, innovative, secure, inclusive, and sustainable.

“We see good governance measures as one of the key ways to achieve quality economic growth,” he said.

In addition, the foreign affairs chief noted that the APEC Strategy for Strengthening Quality Growth aligns itself with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“The APEC Strategy for Strengthening Quality Growth reaffirms and aligns APEC’s 2010 APEC Leaders’ Growth Strategy with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and builds on it by instituting three Key Accountability Areas: (1) institution building; (2) social cohesion; and (3) environmental impact,” he pointed out.

Del Rosario said that as this year’s host economy, the Philippines is placing inclusive growth at the heart of economic integration.

“We are expanding APEC’s trade and investment goals to include a development dimension,” he said. “In support of the inclusive growth agenda, we look at the role of services as an engine of growth for the 21st century.”

Services make up approximately 67 percent of the gross domestic product in the APEC region, he said, adding that in 2012 alone, every US$1 million of services exports generated 104.8 jobs, while the equivalent value of goods exports generated only 59 jobs or slightly more than half.

“Trade and investment in the services sectors, such as manufacturing-related services, professional services, Internet and ICT-based services, and tourism have a huge multiplier effect and can alleviate poverty through jobs and incomes,” del Rosario said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In 1989, average tariffs were pegged at 17 percent but these fell dramatically to about 5.2 percent in 2012, he said.

On the other hand, from 1989 to 2013, the total trade of the Asia-Pacific region has increased sevenfold, outpacing the rest of the world, and likewise boosting trade among member economies, he noted.

“We want Filipino MSMEs to be able to participate more in that trade: we want to help them make the most of the vast market that regional economic integration provides,” the President told participants of the APEC SME Summit.

“In fact, we want to achieve the same for all SMEs across APEC member economies. If MSMEs can be strong drivers of inclusive growth in the Philippines, we believe that the same is true for all of APEC.”

He cited that SMEs account for more than 97 percent of enterprises, generate more than 50 percent of employment, and account for up to 50 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the Asia Pacific.

This is the reason why the Philippines has chosen to make fostering SMEs’ participation in regional and global markets a priority in its APEC 2015 hosting, he said.

The President further highlighted the initiatives that benefit SMEs — the APEC Crisis Management Center, which assists them in coping with economic crises; and the APEC SME Innovation Center and the APEC Start-up Accelerator Network, which promote entrepreneurship and innovation.

Training in business continuity planning is likewise available to help SMEs minimize disruptions to their businesses in the event of calamities, he said.

“Throughout the year of our hosting of APEC, we have broadened our scope and given intensified attention to innovation, entrepreneurial development, business resiliency, finance, and capacity building for MSMEs,” President Aquino said.

“Significant commitments have been made through the Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs, which will focus on priority actions in trade facilitation, trade finance, e-commerce, and institutional support to help MSME’s go global.”

The Iloilo Initiative, on the other hand, puts MSMEs front and center by promoting dialogue among MSMEs, large businesses, and policymakers; and promoting MSME’s participation in global value chains and international trade, among others, he added.

“The Philippines has also proposed the establishment of an APEC Trade Repository, which is envisioned to be an online reference on the trade and tariff regimes of APEC member economies, which would be invaluable resource to MSMEs and other businesses,” he said.

The Chief Executive said Tuesday’s SME Summit is another excellent way for APEC member economies to work together to realize the vast potential of the MSME sector.

Through the summit, he said, everyone has the capacity to bring about positive change.

“And, whether we lead governments or businesses, when we work hard to ensure that every person is empowered to realize that inherent capacity, we are creating drivers of growth,” he said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“Of course, if we are investing in their potential and in their abilities, then why should we not invest in their dreams as well? In 2013, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) comprised over 99 percent of all business enterprises in the Philippines and account for 63.7 percent of total employment,” he said.

“These statistics alone would be reason enough for government to support the sector, but we see far beyond the numbers. For us, these statistics represent Filipinos opening doors of opportunity for so many other Filipinos,” he added.
The government, he said, has carried out several initiatives to strengthen SMEs in the country.

Through the Access of Small Enterprises to Sound Lending Opportunities, more than P153.1 billion has been released to more than 174,000 enterprises from 2010 to 2014, he said.

He further said that by requiring banks to allocate 10 percent of their total loan portfolio for credit to MSMEs, more than P427 billion has been lent to Filipino entrepreneurs as of last June.

“We want to ensure that they do not just have access to capital—but that they are able to maximize it,” President Aquino said.

The Department of Trade and Industry has also pioneered the establishment of Shared Service Facilities, or common production centers for MSMEs. A total of 1,305 SSFs have been set up around the country as of September this year to meet the needs of different sectors.

The Chief Executive cited 13 MSMEs in Kalibo, Aklan, which are making use of 60 handlooms in an SSF to meet the high demand for abaca cloth products coming from France and the United States; and six MSMEs in Diffun, Quirino that have moved beyond producing gifts and souvenir-type products to producing fresh and dry vegetable noodles from squash and carrots through an SSF.

In Ifugao, more than 750 coffee growers are making use of an SSF with such equipment as coffee hullers and pulpers, allowing them to more than quadruple their production from 230 packs to nearly 1,000 packs a month.

Their market has expanded drastically, with sales increasing sixfold from P10,000 to P60,000 a month, the President reported.

The government also has an SME Roving Academy, which travels around the country, conducting training seminars in marketing, product development, and financing to help SMEs become more competitive.

The participation of private sector partners has helped realize the same kind of success in specific sectors, President Aquino said. PND (as)

This was declared by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers in their Joint Ministerial Statement issued at the conclusion of the 2015 APEC Ministerial Meeting here Tuesday.

The APEC Ministers convened on November 16 to 17 under the chairmanship of Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo.

According to the APEC Ministers, institution building, financial inclusion, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, and social cohesion will be critical to sustaining inclusive growth.

“Our innovative, resourceful, and entrepreneurial people compel us to provide them with an enabling environment in which to grow and flourish,” the ministers said in their joint statement. “Our region’s rich natural resources in both land and sea, if managed wisely with due regard for the environment and sustainability, will provide significant means to achieve wealth and economic and job security.”

In their statement, the APEC Ministers expressed their commitment to taking concrete steps and joint actions to foster peace, stability, prosperity, economic growth and development in the region, for a sustainable Asia-Pacific partnership, and to jointly build an open economy in the Asia Pacific that is based on innovative development, interconnected growth, and shared interest.

First, they recommended that APEC Leaders issue a separate Statement on Supporting the Multilateral Trading System and the 10th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference to be held in Nairobi on December 15 to 18.

“We uphold the commitment to strengthen the rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open, and inclusive multilateral trading system as embodied in the WTO,” the APEC Ministers said.

They also endorsed for APEC Leaders’ adoption the APEC Strategy for Strengthening Quality Growth, which is aimed at strengthening cooperation and capacity building in achieving balanced, inclusive, innovative, secure, and sustainable growth by focusing on key accountability areas: institution building, social cohesion, and environmental impact.

Likewise, the Ministers reaffirmed their strong commitment to fighting corruption and bribery, and promoting international cooperation in the areas of repatriation or extradition of corrupt officials, asset recovery, criminalization, and prevention of corruption among APEC member economies.

To better combat the harmful effects of the illegal economy and to promote cultures of integrity across borders, markets, and supply chains, the APEC officials encouraged stronger cross-border cooperation and more innovative path-finding approaches among economies, including through public-private partnerships.

They called on APEC member economies to take all appropriate measures to protect anti-corruption officials at the domestic and international fronts, as they recognize their important role in the detection, investigation, prosecution, and prevention of corrupt activities.

The APEC Ministers have also endorsed for Leaders’ adoption the APEC Services Cooperation Framework (ASCF) to provide impetus for a deeper understanding of services and the policy and regulatory settings that will best facilitate innovative, productive, and vibrant services sectors.

They said this will equip economies with the right tools to formulate policies appropriate to their needs, recognizing that open, transparent, and competitive services sectors help create jobs, produce quality goods, harness opportunities for businesses, spur economic growth, widen choices for consumers, improve living standards, and alleviate poverty.

The Ministers further urged economies to fully implement the commitment to reduce applied tariffs on the APEC List of 54 Environmental Goods to 5 percent or less by the end of this year, as agreed by APEC Leaders in 2012.

They also instructed APEC officials to consolidate all economies’ final implementation plans by the end of the year and to publish these plans on the APEC website.

The APEC Ministers endorsed the Renewed APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (RAASR) as the continuation of the APEC’s structural reform work program until 2020, which strives to stimulate balanced and sustainable growth and reduce inequality.

They encouraged economies to work together to implement domestically, regionally, and globally applicable initiatives and deliverables under the Cebu Action Plan (CAP), launched under the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process, to promote intra-regional trade and investments, connectivity, infrastructure development, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and supply chain financing.

In their joint statement, the APEC Ministers expressed their commitment to support several policy recommendations in an effort to achieve greater inclusiveness. Among them are the Investment Facilitation Action Plan (IFAP) for a more predictable and transparent investment climate; the Guidebook on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Frameworks in the APEC Region; the APEC Virtual Knowledge Center on Services to increase the transparency of services trade-related regulations, facilitate services trade and investment, and develop open services markets; and the APEC Trade Repository (APECTR) as a one-stop portal for information on trade-related regulations.

Furthermore, they endorsed the implementation a number of initiatives, among them the APEC Principles on the Movement of Humanitarian Goods and Equipment during Emergencies, the Asia-Pacific Model E-Port Network (APMEN), and the APEC Connectivity Blueprint for 2015-2025.

The APEC Ministers instructed officials to implement and undertake work on Rural Development, Inclusive Business, Transportation, Tourism, Travel Facilitation, Internet and Digital Economy, Telecommunications and Information, Regulatory Coherence and Cooperation, Intellectual Property, Standards and Conformance, Food Safety Cooperation and Industry Cooperation. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

She said she has not received any notice of cancellation of participation from the APEC leaders and representatives.

During a press briefing at the International Media Center at the World Trade Center in Pasay City Sunday, del Rosario warned people against reading “too much” into why a particular leader cannot attend the summit.

She cited as example Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to send his Vice President, Dmitry Medvedev, instead to the meetings.

Medveded was Russia’s president in 2008 and 2012.

“So, in effect, that level is also something that I think deserves recognition that Russia is really . . . it finds APEC very important,” del Rosario, also the chair of APEC’s Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), said.

And although Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo chose to stay behind in Jakarta to address domestic issues, he sent Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is “one of the most ablest executives and politicians” in Indonesia.

“We welcome really his participation in APEC and I know that he will contribute a lot in the discussions of the issues before APEC,” del Rosario said.

She added that it is but right for a leader to prioritize domestic issues over attending international meetings with world leaders.

“You take it as a leader’s priority that if there’s something happening in the domestic front, they do want to pay attention to that especially since this week is a very long week for them.”

A number of international forums are taking place this week until the end of the month. Among them were the G20 Meeting in Turkey, the APEC Leaders’ Summit in Manila, and the Asean Summit Meeting in Malaysia.

President Barack Obama, for example, is due to attend the three events, which would last for seven to eight days.

But del Rosario noted that there were leaders “who do not want to stay longer than five days away, you know, from their countries especially since things are very fluid.”

Meanwhile, the SOM chair said she has not been informed by reports that an Islamic State faction based in Mindanao is planning attacks during the APEC week.

“I have not been informed about that.”

Del Rosario also refused to talk about the impact of the Paris attacks on the security preparations for the APEC leaders’ meeting.

The Friday 13th attacks in Paris killed 128 people and injured more than 200.

If there are indeed heightened security at the AELM because of what happened in France, del Rosario said she cannot discuss it in details.

“Security issues should really remain off, you know, off radar. Meaning, we don’t want people knowing what you are doing, right? But definitely, it came that there are heightened security measures.” (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary and Chairperson of APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting Laura del Rosario said APEC member economies are working on compliance to an agreement to bring down tariff on 54 environment goods to five percent.

“…So that people will continue to buy more environmental goods. That 54 (goods) hopefully—we hope that it can expand but we are not yet talking about expansion until we review really all the compliance. I think for the Philippines, we’re 100 percent compliant,” she in a press briefing.

The APEC list of environmental goods includes waste water purifying equipment, solar panels and wind turbines. The region’s Leaders launched the undertaking and set a three-year deadline in 2012.

“In fact, we think of the economy as a whole that’s why we’re looking at environmental goods because we’re looking at, you know, the effects of climate change, environment and that,” she added.

However, Del Rosario stressed that she is uncertain whether APEC member economies are amenable to expanding product coverage.

“To expand them will require another negotiation but I don’t know whether we would like that in APEC or whether we would want to introduce that in WTO (World Trade Organization) because I know that WTO is negotiating the environmental goods and services,” she said.

But Del Rosario bared that APEC economies are looking at developing the environmental services especially with the APEC Services Cooperation Framework.

“I don’t know whether some economies will introduce the environmental services within that framework, which I’m happy to announce has been approved,” she said.

The two-day concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting ended here on Saturday. PNA (ldv)

“The visit of President Xi Jinping is really a symbolic act in the sense that it will not just strengthen bilateral relations but it will also show the rest of APEC the role and importance of APEC in the region and China is one of its active players,” said APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario in a press held at the International Media Center of the World Trade Center here in Pasay City Sunday.

“It will also send the message across the region that APEC — I mean, that all of us are working as a team and as a forum together to address our common economic security concerns,” Undersecretary Del Rosario added.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier confirmed that the Chinese Foreign Ministry has officially announced that President Xi will attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

Currently, China has several issues regarding claims on territories in the Southc China Sea including that of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin inspected the International Media Center, where foreign and local journalists will be stationing for the entire duration of summit.
Gazmin was accompanied by Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr, and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Hernando Iriberri.

In an interview with reporters, Gazmin said they are satisfied with the preparations being undertaken by the organizers.

Asked about the overall security preparations in light of the recent attacks in France, Gazmin said: “We are preparing for all contingencies and we… That’s why we’re doing our last minute check to make sure that no stones are kept unturned.”
On Sunday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento issued a public advisory on APEC.

He said that following the deadly attacks in Paris, President Aquino has ordered a heightened level of security for the delegates and participants of APEC next week.

“We would like to forewarn the public to expect heavy traffic that may cause inconvenience in areas where APEC activities will be conducted,” he said in the advisory.

“We advise them to, as much as possible, avoid APEC venues to include all roads leading to these areas next week.”

At present, security forces are positioned in Metro Manila beyond the regular deployment scale.

He said this should add to the peace of mind and high level of confidence of the public and provide optimism for a fruitful and orderly APEC 2015 leaders’ summit.

More than 100 people died in Paris, France, in simultaneous attacks claimed by Muslim extremists. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“Trade has contracted in 2015 and this major contraction is a reflection of the slow economic recovery,” said Denis Hew, APEC Secretariat’s director of policy support.

The foreseen recovery would be due to external demand and imports, particularly of developing countries among the 21 members of the Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation, he said.

The actions of the United States and China are particularly seen to affect this recovery.

“The concern is with China’s economy, if it will have a hard or a soft landing,” Hew said. “For the US, will they lower interest rates this year or early next year?”

At the same time, Hew said private consumption remains the main driver of APEC economies.

“Since the crisis, the responses have been more specific to private consumption,” he said.

Alan Bollard, APEC Secretariat executive director, said the economies in the Pacific Rim are also concerned about the integration between manufacturing and services.

This year, APEC is focused on making the economies more inclusive to include small business, the services sector, environment and disaster recovery-related issues, he said.

Advancements in technology, particularly in e-Commerce, will help micro, small, and medium enterprises to become part of the global value chain, Bollard said.

APEC initiatives are working on doing this for MSMEs, particularly on free trade agreements and trade facilitation.

“Goods must move across the borders for small businesses, as well as larger business, as part of global value chains,” he said.

While APEC does not lead in the services sector, the Philippines can show the way, particularly in the trade in services, Bollard said.

Most of the concerns on the services sector do not concern tariff, but non-tariff barriers such as regulation on moving capital, people, and data, he said.

Bollard noted that there are 150 FTAs in the region. “It is all very complicated. But we will judge it by where they are going, if they are in conflict with each other, if it helps to integrate the region to move to the future,” he said.

All these are part of its study on the Free Trade Agreement in Asia and the Pacific, a major project of the formation, to be finalized next year, he added. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“APEC is about economic methods, only about economic methods. We are not like ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) that would include security issues,” Dr. Alan Bollard said during a press briefing at the International Media Center at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

“Formally, around APEC tables, those things get discussed, and they are not part of formal APEC agenda. Personally, I’m not hearing about concerns like that on the trade side,” he added.

China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam–all members of the APEC–are claimants to the Spratlys chain of islets and reefs in the West Philippine Sea, with the Philippines even filing an arbitration case against China’s nine-dash line claim that covers 90 percent of the entire resource-rich area.

Concerns about freedom of navigation and trade in the region, where an estimated US$5 trillion of annual seaborne trade pass, have intensified since China transformed a number of reefs into islands.

However, China, whose president, Xi Jinping, will be arriving on Tuesday to attend the APEC leaders’ meeting on Wednesday and Thursday (November 18 and 19), earlier asked the Philippines not to bring up the issue during the summit.

The Philippines agreed, but said it cannot control topics that other nations would like to raise, especially during their bilateral meetings.

Bollard agreed that the forum, which brings together 21 economies from the Pacific Rim, is not the proper venue to discuss maritime and security issues.

He said a number of leaders and representatives will be meeting in private, “taking advantage of the fact that they are all here”.

However, he said he is not privy to those talks, and whether or not maritime security and freedom of trade in the region would be tackled.

Bollard said leaders would also have the chance to talk about their security concerns at the ongoing G20 Meeting in Turkey.

“They are clearly talking about security methods,” he said.

After the APEC meeting in Manila, the leaders would also be heading to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, “where they can talk about security matters”.

Traditionally, Bollard said, leaders and ministers of the APEC economies work to “get trade up” and “to treat this as an economic forum”.

“We are confident that it will continue this year,” he added. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

Dr. Alan Bollard said the Philippines “is showing leadership” on women’s activities in the country’s economy.

“The Philippines is the only economy in APEC where women own most of businesses. Clearly, it is a big opportunity for the Philippines to talk about that and lead a number of economies,” he said during a media briefing at the International Media Center at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

He cited the Philippines’ initiatives and programs that pave the way for women to participate freely in the economy.

Bollard noted the role of women in small businesses and in technology, and lauded the Philippines for making finance more accessible to women entrepreneurs.

He added that the Philippines is also “very advanced” in the services sector, specifically in business process outsourcing (BPO), backroom services and “increasingly”, in front office services.

This year’s APEC agenda included looking at the barriers that hinder the progress of the service sector.

However, Bollard said, most of these are non-traditional barriers, “likely regulatory (and) getting people capital information”. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“It is very complicated,” Dr. Alan Bollard told reporters during a press briefing held at the Main Briefing Room of the International Media Center at the World Trade Center here on Monday.

To ensure that there is no overlap or that no conflict arises out of the copious free trade agreements among APEC member economies, the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) was proposed, Bollard said.

“We are working on a strategic study on the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific,” he noted.

Bollard explained that the APEC sees the FTAAP “as the way we can judge where all those initiatives are going”.

“We’ll bring (all trade agreements) into the study, see how they fit together, and move forward from there,” he stated.

Although the proposal for such an area has been around since at least 1966, with the proposal for a Pacific Free Trade, the APEC formally began discussing the concept of FTAAP during its summit in 2006 in Hanoi.

The FTAAP would create a free trade zone that would considerably expand commerce and economic growth in the region.

Its development, however, is expected to take many years, involving essential studies, evaluations and negotiations among member economies. According to experts, it is also affected by the absence of political will and popular agitations, as well as lobbying against free trade in domestic politics.

At the 2014 APEC summit in Beijing, APEC leaders agreed to launch “a collective strategic study” on the FTAAP and instruct officials to undertake the study, consult stakeholders, and report the result by the end of 2016.

“The FTAAP will be reviewed by the ministers,” said Bollard who earlier predicted that the FTAAP will be the “APEC’s big goal out into the future”.

“It will be finalized next year,” he said. “It is chaired by both China and the United States.” (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“This is a very challenging environment for growth,” Eduardo Pedrosa, Secretary General of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), said during a press briefing held at the Main Briefing Room of the International Media Center at the World Trade Center here.

Founded in 1980, the PECC is a network of member committees composed of individuals and institutions dedicated to promoting cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region. It has 23 full member committees, including the Philippines.

According to Pedrosa, what the world is seeing now is the lowest growth rate for the Asia-Pacific region since 2010, hence the urgent need for growth strategies.

“There are many things the region needs to do to further promote inclusive growth in the APEC region,” he noted.

Pedrosa identified the priorities that APEC leaders should focus on — progress towards the Bogor Goals and free trade area within the region; the APEC’s growth strategy; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) participation; anti-corruption efforts; and climate change cooperation and disaster resilience.

The question is, where will future growth come from, considering that much of the growth post-crisis was sustained via stimulus, fiscal or monetary, he said.

“There are some initiatives that could provide a substantial boost to growth,” said Pedrosa. “For example, TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) negotiations.”

The TPP is a trade agreement among 12 Pacific Rim countries concerning a variety of matters of economic policy.

Among other things, the TPP Agreement contains measures to lower trade barriers, such as tariffs, and establish an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism.

The agreement’s goals include promoting economic growth; supporting the creation and retention of jobs; enhancing innovation, productivity and competitiveness; raising living standards; reducing poverty; and promoting transparency, good governance, and enhanced labor and environmental protections.

Pedrosa said other propositions that could help boost economic growth include the APEC Connectivity Blueprint, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

The PwC network’s 5th annual APEC CEO Survey, covering 800 chief executive officers (CEOs) and industry leaders, indicates that about half of them still intend to raise investments next year, particularly in the Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore.

The majority of CEOs (53 percent) planned to increase investments, with most of that investment (68 percent) aimed at the APEC region, despite their dwindling confidence in revenue growth.

Chairman and senior partner at PwC Philippines, Alexander Cabrera, identified the huge domestic market and availability of talent as the Philippines’ competitive advantage.

“The Philippines is a nation of very good professionals – doctors, accountants, architects and engineers… Because the skills will move more freely and they know that the Philippines is a source of those skills, that is really raising their (CEOs) confidence level that if they come here, if they bring the business to the Philippines, that there will be enough (human) resource here to support that business,” he said in an interview.

To further attract investments, Cabrera underscored the need to simplify doing business in the Philippines to be on a par with global economies.

He noted that the country should also continue to focus on the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“If these SMEs will be assisted during their formative stage, if the time that they can access the foreign markets will be shortened, if they will be part of the value chain of the big corporations, that will produce the inclusive growth that is really important,” he added.

Cabrera further said that the country’s middle class needs to be enlarged.

“That effectively expands the domestic market of these businesses in the Philippines. That is also a big source of business growth,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PwC survey shows a clear diversification of investments within the APEC region, with China, the United States and Indonesia remaining as the main draw for CEO business investments.

“I think (on) diversification of the investment locations, we are really beneficiaries of the slowdown in China,” Cabrera said.

He observed that Philippine CEOs appear to be unaffected by the coming elections.

“I think the fact they remained optimistic about revenue growth may prove maybe the point of some prophets of boom. They are saying that regardless of who wins in the next elections, the economic gains of the Philippines are irreversible,” added Cabrera.

More of the 800 APEC business leaders surveyed – PwC’s largest sample ever — think that expanded broadband access and increased participation in the digital economy hold the most promise for their business from regional connectivity, ahead of regional trade projects or new infrastructure in underdeveloped areas of the region.

They are also optimistic a free trade area in the Asia Pacific could be a reality by 2020, as regional integration proceeds on several fronts.

The CEOs consider the ASEAN Economic Community as the ‘mega regional’ game changer, while there are also hopes that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) would boost exports and fuel regional growth.

The PwC’s 2015 APEC CEO Survey, conducted between June 23 and August 21, was released on Monday ahead of the annual APEC Leaders Meeting on Wednesday and Thursday (November 18 to 19). (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Executive director of the APEC Secretariat, Dr. Alan Bollard, said on Monday that although there are a number of initiatives underway to address climate change issues in the Asia-Pacific region, there was no final statement yet from the leaders regarding the big meeting in France.

Bollard said all he could share was that there are discussions focusing on climate change issues, such as the more efficient use of energy, a list of environmental goods whose tariff has to be reduced to 5 percent, and low carbon cities.

“So, they will be pointing to all of those. We have to wait and see if they will talk specifically about the coming climate change (conference),” he said.

Preparations for the Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, scheduled from November 30 to December 11, were rocked by the Friday the 13th attacks that killed almost 130 people and injured more than 300, 100 of whom were critical.

It is not clear if the APEC leaders will issue a statement on the attacks, although climate change issues and disaster preparedness and management have been important topics for this year’s meet.

In particular, the meetings placed special focus on the resiliency of the global value chain against natural disasters.

Noting that the Philippines, specifically, is prone to disasters, Bollard said the APEC discusses the issue of disasters and how they affect the Asia-Pacific economies.

Discussions range from defining how disaster impacts the economies to identifying methods to predict them better.

Prior to the APEC leaders’ week, senior officials have already expounded on the need to address the effects of disasters on economies because they derail and disrupt economic activities once the country is hit by disasters. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

Women’s emphasis on self-fulfillment, family and other relationships, and time flexibility, as well as their multi-faceted, consensual, and intuitive leadership styles should be incorporated in business practices.

These values and leadership style should be encouraged, and not taken against women.

“We as a group are for multi-faceted leadership that is also consensual, intuitive, community-based, engendering family-typed feelings. These should be recognized and amply rewarded,” Sereno said.

“The female style must be recognized by mainstream business literature on the restructuring of economies,” she added.

Non-economic goals beyond quality of life or human development indices can be achieved when the person’s feelings are considered. The legal structure, for its part, must do its part, the chief justice said.

“Substantive law must respond. We need to make the playing field fair, predictable, and transparent, with open information, simpler rules, and Internet-friendly,” Sereno said.

“There should be incentives to family-friendly employers… there should be incentives for networking that does not destroy family time,” she added.

In the Philippines, among those laws that may need to be updated are the Labor Code and the Tax Code, she said.

“For example, the Labor Code of 1974 and the tax regimes circa 1990s are the two major business frameworks for regulations that may need judicial review so that they would have predictability and fairness,” she said.

However, the chief justice refused to specify the provisions that need changes as legal questions might be raised before her court.

More women have joined the formal labor force, many doing in business process outsourcing working in night shifts.

The Labor Code prohibits, among others, night work for women, while the Tax Code provides for different tax exemptions for single and married people.

Responding to a question from an ABAC member from Hong Kong on how to include more men in child and home care, Sereno proposed the expansion of paternity and family leaves.

In her welcome remarks and introduction of Sereno, ABAC 2015 chair Doris Magsaysay Ho said Sereno, as the Philippines’ first female chief justice, was invited because ABAC’s work involves recommending policies to leaders to, among others, make workplaces more women-friendly.

At the same time, Ho said ABAC seeks to make economies more transparent and predictable. Sereno is able to marry these ideas of women, business, and rule of law.

“Many economies have opened trade and investment with laws, only to find major impediments around unfriendly laws or unfriendly interpretation of friendly laws or friendly interpretation of bad laws,” she said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

According to Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jess Estanislao their stories of transformation through good governance are available for others to look at and possibly learn from.

The first IGG include the cities of Balanga in Bataan, Mandaue in Cebu, Talisay in Negros Occidental, Butuan in Agusan del Norte, and Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte; the Philippine Heart Center, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, the National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The five city governments were cited for their endeavors to improve economic wellness in their locales through programs promoting knowledge-based businesses, agro-forestry, sports and recreation, high-quality manufacturing, and retiree-friendly zones, respectively.

The Philippine Heart Center, on the other hand, was praised for its desire to improve heart health status for the less fortunate.

DTI was cited for its commitment to increase the country’s competitiveness by 2016 from lower third to upper third rank in the World Economic Forum (WEF) global competitiveness report. It has heightened consumer awareness from 66 percent in 2012 to 80 percent this year.

The AFP was recognized for increasing operational readiness of its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) national response units from 64 percent to 80 percent in 2015, while the Philippine Army was hailed for its initiative to craft functional personal scorecards for 100% of the Philippine Army’s non-commissioned officers or 60,000 men and women.

The Philippine Navy was commended for successfully achieving its breakthrough commitments as a Standard of Excellence, Bastion of Innovation, and Sentinel of the Sea, guided by its strategic Sail Plan 2020.

The NEA was credited for being well on its way to attaining 100 percent sitio energization, thus serving an additional 1.4 million consumer connections, and providing P5 billion financial assistance to electric cooperatives.

The only banking institution on the list, the BSP was awarded for continuously being top-ranked globally in policy and regulation and for being the first central bank in the world to establish an enabling environment for financial inclusion.

All were put through a rigorous two-year selection process, including audits by respected firms the Institute of Internal Auditors Philippines (IIA-P), KPMG and R.G. Manabat & Co. and Deloitte and Navarro Amper & Co.

In a speech delivered during the ABAC luncheon with APEC Senior Officials at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City, Dr. Estanislao stressed that the award demands that they should “continue to give good example and inspiration to all other institutions.”

“They are to be re-certified every 3 years: for their observance of the Code of Ethics and Integrity; their practice of solidarity and promotion of entrepreneurship in social enterprises; and their governance outreach proving that social responsibility has been embedded into their transformation program,” he said.

“Even as they share good governance practices, we implore our Philippine public sector institutions to learn from the best anti-corruption and good governance practices from the entire APEC community,” added Estanislao. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said there is nothing to worry about, and that no delegation has expressed concern about the security measures being undertaken for the leaders’ meeting.

“Of course, our security officials are monitoring and assessing the situation and we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and security of all delegates in the AELM [APEC Leaders’ Meeting], especially the economic leaders,” he added.

The security agencies would have to assess the situation and beef up security measures as needed.

“Hopefully, by the time of the economic leaders meeting in Manila next week, we are sincerely hoping that situation in Paris, in particular, have turned to normal,” Jose said.

The Philippines is expecting some 17 leaders and three representatives after Russia and Indonesia confirmed the non-attendance of their presidents, Vladimir Putin and Joko Widodo, respectively.

Chinese Taipei will also send a representative in place of President Ma Ying-jeou.

Paris was rocked by explosions and gunshots this morning (Manila time) that left more than 150 people dead and a score of injured bodies.

The French government has declared a national state of emergency and tightened borders to close down on the perpetrators of the attack.

These are the deadliest attacks in Europe since the 2004 Madrid bombings. (PCOO APEC Communications Team)

APECTR is an online reference tool for trade and tariff information that works towards trade facilitation, transparency, information dissemination and connectivity in the region.

The APECTR is a Philippine-led initiative under the Boracay Action Agenda to globalize MSMEs into global value chain adopted by Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) during their meeting in May.

Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Ceferino Rodolfo, at the media launch of APECTR here on Sunday, said the APECTR is in line with the provision in the Boracay Action Agenda to provide timely and accurate information on exports and imports procedures and requirements.

Rodolfo noted that access to trade data remains a key concern for MSMEs in participating in global and regional trade.

“In our consultations with MSMEs, easy access to trade-related information has been consistently cited as a critical barrier to their being able to penetrate export markets or being able to access alternative sources of inputs overseas,” Rodolfo said.

“Therefore, the APECTR seeks to address this problem,” he added.

The APECTR expands the information available to the public from APEC Tariff and Rules of Origin Website (WebTR) which provides tariff data only to other trade-related information including most favored nation (MFN) tariff rates, preferential tariff rates, rules of origin, best practices in trade facilitation, domestic trade and customs laws and regulations, procedure and documentary requirements, Authorized
Economic Operators, and other trade measures.

Rodolfo mentioned that the new virtual trade repository of the forum will be collaboratively maintained by the APEC Secretariat and the Philippine Government with commitments from 20 other member economies to provide their latest trade data.
The APECTR is accessible through tr.apec.org. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

“Our collaborative efforts to grow dynamic and global MSMEs are making headway. APEC member economies have managed to move this agenda forward during the previous meetings and more work lies ahead,” Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo said during the endorsement.

“The implementation plan is a milestone and a necessary step to build on the gains in APEC,” he added.

APEC member economies already endorsed the BAA-MSMEs during the ministerial meeting held in Boracay in May this year.

The BAA-MSMEs contains specific, concrete interventions as well as programs that will facilitate the integration of MSMEs in international markets, through global value chains.

The document, introduced during the 3rd Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3), also identifies initiatives geared towards addressing trade and non-trade barriers faced by MSMEs in international trade.

It also identifies specific measures that should be adopted by member economies, private sector, and other stakeholders to support MSME development.

MSMEs constitute the backbone of the 21 APEC member economies, comprising more than 90 percent of economic activity in the region.

The BAA-MSMEs aims to contribute to the total employment and productivity of APEC economies through trade facilitation, information and communication technology (ICT) and e-commerce, financing and institutional support.

Member economies will continue to discuss issues to ensure that all participants benefit from the programs even after the Philippines’ hosting.

“The implementation plan meets the diverse needs of MSMEs and provides an enabling framework for them to go global. Placing the MSME agenda ‘front and center’ in the discussions in APEC through the BAA-MSMEs will certainly enhance the competitiveness and productivity of our local enterprises and contribute to realizing inclusive growth,” Domingo said. PND (as)

Bachelet is the first to arrive among the 18 leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) attending the conference that seeks to expand trade and investment among the countries in the Pacific Rim.

APEC is made up of 21 member-economies: APEC is made up of 21 member-economies: Australia, Brunei, Canada Chile, China, Chinese Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam.

The Philippines is hosting this year’s APEC. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Citing a report from the office of Chinese Taipei’s President Ma Ying-jeou, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office(TECO) in Manila said Siew will attend the meetings in behalf of Ma.

Siew is “well-versed in economic and trade diplomacy, and multilateral trade negotiations.”

It added that he has already built “strong relationships” with leaders of APEC because he had attended APEC summits a total of six times as minister of economic affairs and presidential representative.

“President Ma believes the former vice president’s expertise, background, experience, and connections will undoubtedly substantively enhance the nation’s influence in the trade regime within the Asia Pacific, and that is why he has again invited former Vice President Siew to serve as his representative,” President Ma’s statement said.

Siew is widely recognized in Chinese Taipei as one of the architects of the “economic miracle” that transformed it from one of the less developed Asian economies into one of Asia’s economic tigers, as well as a global leader in innovation and technology development.

It is Siew’s “continuous efforts” that led to Chinese Taipei’s membership in APEC in 1991, and its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2002.

Siew, who will be arriving on November 16, has a master’s degree in international law and diplomacy from National Chengchi University in Taipei.

He also has honorary doctorates from the Ohio State University in the US, Rangsit University in Thailand, Sungkyunkwan University in Korea, National Chiayi University in Chinese Taipei, National Taipei University of Science and Technology, and the National Chengchi University.

The Philippines follows the One China Policy, and recognizes that there is only one China–Mainland China–and views Chinese Taipei as a renegade island.

The policy only allows Chinese Taipei’s representative, and not its president, to attend the APEC meetings. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

During the APEC Business Advisory Council’s (ABAC) special session entitled “Dialogue with APEC Voices of the Future Delegates”, the issue of getting accessed to research output and innovation was raised.

ABAC was asked to recommend specific initiatives that colleges and universities should undertake to facilitate the development of a young population who can contribute greatly to innovation in the Asia Pacific region.

As a response, Anthony Nowell, a research leader from New Zealand, said the key is forging collaboration between academic institutions involved in research with the government acting as regulator.

“I think that the word collaboration is a very important word when it comes to getting the best innovation, what is out there at the moment,” Nowell told the delegates that are mostly composed of young people from different APEC economies.

“We don’t see quite enough frankly. We talk about institutions, thousands of institutions around the world because the founding mechanisms institutions have tend to be competitive.”

However, these academic institutions do not usually share their ideas and Nowell said he believes giving governments authority to facilitate much more collaboration between institutions and get the ideas flowing across the border would be a great help.

He also said the this collaboration must not be limited by boundaries or borders, adding ideas should flow freely whether these are national or internal borders.

For instance, in the Philippines, there must be tie ups between UP and Ateneo, he said.

“How do you get the innovation flow occurring? That is a very important issue to my mind,” he said.

Although there are many people who have bright ideas, their research outputs are often left sitting on library shelves without seeing the light of the day, he said, noting this is actually the real problem.

Also, Nowell raised the issue on inaccessible big data that could aid people to innovate.

There is a huge amount of data coming out of researchers that is not being accessed or used, he said.

“I think once again, finding the right mechanism to get access to big data is going to open up a whole new world of innovative ideas from the work that has been done before,” Nowell said.

ABAC has hosted the dialogue with young people from across different APEC economies to prepare them to become future leaders and innovators in the region in the coming years. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Paolo Monteiro, a Filipino youth representative to the APEC Voices of the Future delegates, emphasized the importance of quality education for inclusive growth.

“Quality education results in excellent goods and services,” he said. “Universities are great incubators of ideas.”

At the special session dialogue with APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) held Friday afternoon here in the capital city, Monteiro said that investment on quality education by the 21 member economies in Asia-Pacific will encourage more young people to invent and innovate more new technologies.

“Better education among work force encourages innovative entrepreneurship which in turn would greatly benefit all APEC economies,” he said.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, an ABAC member, agreed with Montero that quality education may bring innovation, which is a “key factor in accelerating growth.”

“The role of private sector is to create formal linkage between industry and education,” he said.

For his part, Allan Zeman, another ABAC member from Hong Kong, said education now is “falling behind” where “students today are smarter than their teachers.”

“Education must be the lead. It is really important because that’s our future,” he said.

Youth leaders from 17 APEC member-economies gathered at Fairmont Hotel in Makati on Friday night for the annual APEC Voices of the Future.

VOF is an opportunity for young leaders and educators to participate in the discussions with ABAC leaders during the APEC Leaders week.

Launched in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, this year’s youth program is immersed in a rich culture-oriented and multilateral dialogue that is focused on APEC priorities.

Some of the topics that were discussed were the importance of addressing climate change, investment in human capital and education, and sustainable growth for small and medium enterprises. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Alexis Wagner from Canada started with her call for zero tariff on Green goods, and for comprehensive solutions to the current climate crisis.

“It is imperative for APEC to remove tariffs on environmental goods,” she said. “Whole-government solutions are needed to address environmental challenges — in trade policies and environmental regulations.”

Taking off from the September meetings at the United Nations on Sustainable Development Goals that included climate action, Wagner noted that much of the world’s economic growth has been from the extraction and use of non-renewable natural resources.

This type of growth has affected the environment as well as sustainable growth, she said.

“Everyone recognizes that connecting with nature is good for people’s health, the economy, and prosperity…but there is a disconnect with nature not just among youth but among people of all ages,” Wagner said.

“I hope APEC addresses this issue, and make Nature and our natural heritage more accessible so that environmental protection is embedded in all societies. For the future generation, I hope it is at the forefront in conferences such as this,” she added.

Wang Zhuo Ru from China said that as her country slows down from its “high-speed” growth pattern, it has made “job creation and innovation its motto.”

With China encouraging start-ups and entrepreneurships to do this, “young people, the most dynamic [demographic segment] are the best to [take up the challenge] for self-employment and innovations,” she said.

Paolo Monteiro from the Philippines urged ABAC to invest in quality education as this would result in more young people encouraged to invent and innovate more new technologies.

“Quality education results in excellent goods and services,” Monteiro said. “Universities are great incubators of ideas.”

“Better education among work force encourages innovative entrepreneurship which in turn would greatly benefit all APEC economies,” he added.

The annual APEC Voices of the Future is an opportunity for young leaders and educators to participate in the discussions with ABAC leaders during the APEC Leaders week.

Launched in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, this year’s youth program includes culture-oriented and multilateral dialogue that is focused on APEC priorities. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In an interview on Thursday, APEC 2015 Senior Officials’ Meeting Chair Laura del Rosario said the progress report will be produced at the end of Peru’s hosting because crafting it will take time, considering the complicated nature of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

What complicates FTAs are the differences in the liberalization or openness of each economy forging trade agreements with other economies, she explained.

For instance, under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Philippines has different dealings with its partners, among them India, Australia, China, Hong Kong, and Japan.

“So what we are trying to do now is: can we have standard provisions? It is hard because we want to know what should we do here to be acceptable to everybody,” she said.

Highlighting the timeframe for forging FTAs, she noted that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) spearheaded by the US, began negotiations in 2008.

“It took them seven years. It is that complicated because you have to think of your own stakeholders,” she said.

“Your stakeholders, as I said, could be small and medium enterprises, professionals, and you have to look also at your own products. You have to look into your own raw materials and so on.”

Economies negotiating for FTAs must also take into consideration their own regulations. For example, when Vietnam joined the negotiations for the TPP, it had to think about its state-owned enterprises.

The world of trade is a level playing field and a state-owned enterprise can enjoy some protection or perks, she said, adding that some economies or countries give preference to certain individuals, and this goes against the idea of a level playing field.

If ever the APEC starts negotiating for FTAAP, it must be benchmarked on the TPP, which is now considered the highest level of FTA, del Rosario added. PND (as)

“One concrete and undeniable proof of the thriving program is the robust pipeline of projects that we have maintained in close coordination with various implementing agencies,” said Philippine PPP Center Executive Director Cosette Canilao.

The Philippines has already awarded 10 PPP contracts to private partners and has more than 40 PPP projects in the pipeline with 14 projects in different stages of procurement.

Five PPP projects worth P43.36 billion are expected to be completed by the end of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s term in 2016.

These are two school projects, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center, and the Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway link.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the country needs to further address infrastructure backlogs while sustaining the momentum the economy has achieved.

“Even as the economy at the moment has slowed down a bit, we should not stop from moving the economy to a higher growth trajectory at 7 percent. That should be our medium- to long-term (development plan),” he said.

The government is increasing infrastructure spending to 5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2016.

Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder, co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) PPP Experts Advisory Panel, estimated that at least US$3 trillion would be needed to fund infrastructure development in the Asia Pacific.
“The demand is huge. All these economies are now trying to advance infrastructure projects and the infrastructure process,” he said.
In their meeting earlier this year, APEC finance and central bank deputies explored alternatives for financing infrastructure development in the region, including leveraging private funds to the PPP projects, as well as the continuous disposition of public funds.

APEC member economies are also banking on the creation of the PPP knowledge portal that would address the constraints in financing infrastructure, as this would provide basic information about the infrastructure opportunities in the region.

Asia-Pacific business leaders are also pushing for alternative ways of financing long-term infrastructure investments in the region, including tapping the capital markets.

“You have the bond market, the debt market and then you have the equity market. so that if there is a crisis in one of them, then the others can step in to provide the financing and keep the economy going,” said Dr. Julius Caesar Parrenas, a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

Parrenas noted that institutional investors, such as insurance companies and pension funds, park their money in capital markets to invest in long-term projects like infrastructure.

Last September, the APEC Finance Ministers unveiled the Cebu Action Plan (CAP), a 10-year development roadmap for the Asia-Pacific region, identifying accelerating infrastructure development and financing among its four pillars.

The roadmap’s other pillars include advancing fiscal reforms and transparency, promoting financial integration, and enhancing financial resiliency.

The CAP will be endorsed to the APEC economic leaders, who will meet in Manila on November 18 to 19. The plan was also endorsed by the ABAC. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

To build a more conducive business environment, governments need to undertake structural reform that involves eliminating complex regulations and processes so that economic transactions can be done more efficiently.

They should also ensure that the economic activities of firms and individuals are conducted on a level playing field to adequately protect the welfare of smaller players and vulnerable groups.

Steps to achieve structural reform:

1. Education and skills training can be provided to individuals to enable them to get employed in better-paying jobs or more productive businesses and livelihoods.

2. Governments need to increase access to financing and implement simple requirements for doing business to allow jobs-providers, small and medium enterprises, to flourish and link with global value chains.

Ministers of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have agreed to further improve the ease of doing business in the region by 10 percent between 2016 and 2018, paving the way for greater economic activity in the region.

The goal covers five priority areas for regulatory reform under the APEC Ease of Doing Business Action Plan — starting a business, dealing with construction permits, trading across borders, getting credit, and enforcing contracts.

With such regulatory reforms necessary for inclusive growth, economies expect more people to start businesses, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to go global.

3. Member economies need to develop and implement regional, urban and rural policies that will encourage investments and reforms in telecommunications and transport infrastructure.

Enhancing connectivity is necessary to reduce regional disparities, allow people to get jobs in other places, and enable firms to widen their markets.

4. Members of the APEC need to undertake policies to increase the efficiency of financial markets and remittance channels to provide those in remote and isolated areas greater access to financing.

5. They need to pursue reforms to provide the poor and SMEs social protection and insurance that will enable them to withstand disaster-related calamities.

6. Member economies need to promote free and open markets that spur innovation and competition. This should be coupled with sound regulation.Free and open markets are important to achieve inclusiveness and protect smaller, disadvantaged market players.

Last September, APEC ministers convened in Cebu, Philippines to advance their economic reform agenda and consider the continuation of the structural reform work program until 2020.

They agreed to endorse a work program described under the five themes and embodied in the Renewed APEC Agenda for Structural Reform. These themes are Structural Reform for Inclusive Growth; Structural Reform and Innovation; Structural Reform and Services; Tools for Structural Reform; and New Directions for Structural Reform in APEC.

Structural reform efforts identified during the Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting will be endorsed to the APEC economic leaders when they meet in Manila on November 18 to 19.

The APEC members recognized the need to put a stronger focus on promoting economic growth through structural reform, given the residual effects of the global financial crisis that are still evident in many economies.

This year, the Philippines is proposing a three-pillar structural reform agenda: those aimed at making markets more open, transparent and predictable across the region; increasing market participation of various sectors; and ensuring that those exposed to natural disasters or economic shocks would not slide to poverty.

The country’s development strategies are attuned with the APEC’s structural reform efforts.

The Philippines has been implementing various reforms that will contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth.

These include the passage of the Fair Competition Act, the creation of an interagency task force on Ease of Doing Business, undertaking the game plan for competitiveness, strong governance and anti-corruption agenda, and expanding the poverty alleviation program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In a statement, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Russian delegation coming to Manila will instead be led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The Palace official said the Russian leader discussed the reason why he cannot attend the APEC Summit in a telephone conversation with President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday night.

“I can confirm that President Vladimir Putin called President Aquino last night to discuss matters related to the Philippines and Russia bilateral cooperation, and, of course, about the participation of Russia in the APEC Summit here in Manila in the coming days,” said Valte, who read the statement during a press briefing in Malacanang.

“The Russian delegation will be headed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. President Putin also discussed with President Aquino the reasons for his inability to attend the APEC Summit to which President Aquino replied that he understood fully well the issues that are confronting the Russian government, and that he also understands the need of President Putin to stay in his country to ensure that the reasons behind some of their domestic issues are fully investigated and threshed out,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine government has not been informed yet on who will represent Indonesia in the APEC Summit after President Jokowi Widodo decided not to attend.

“On the matter of the attendance of Indonesian President Widodo, we are awaiting formal confirmation from our friends in the Indonesian government on their representative to be sent to the summit next week. It is quite regretful that President Joko Widodo will most likely be unable to attend the summit. We understand that the pressing matters back home require his immediate attention,” Valte said.

The Jakarta Post on Thursday reported that Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla will represent President Widodo in the APEC Summit.

In a news briefing at the World Trade Center on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said the trade minister of Indonesia will be attending the ministerial meeting before the leaders’ summit on November 18 and 19.

Del Rosario said that whatever position Indonesia has on issues affecting the region will be reiterated by the country’s foreign and trade ministers.

“We all know (President Widodo’s) trade minister is very liberal in his decision and knows the issue on APEC,” she said. “Indonesia will make sure its position will be reflected at the Senior Officials’ Meeting and the Leaders’ Declaration.”

Widodo will attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in Turkey on November 15 to 16 and is expected to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, which will be held after the APEC. PND (jm)

“We will know we are successful in what we are doing when our own people feel the incremental improvement in their lives,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said in her opening remarks for the APEC Concluding SOM held in Manila.

The SOM, she added, worked together to promote trade, investment and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

She however noted that while the SOM has done a lot in terms of its agenda, there are aspects in it that need expansion, which they must discuss before finalizing the ministerial statement and the leaders’ declaration for next week.

Del Rosario looked back to when the APEC founding members were deciding whether to focus on trade and investment or on development.

“They said we should work on the trade and investment aspect of our economy because they know these two factors underpin our economic development and in the process, development will follow,” she said.

She pointed out that today, the APEC has already evolved to also include the development requirements in the region in terms of women’s issue, human resources, environment impact, health, water, food nutrition, challenges of urbanization, and services like Internet, transportation and energy.

“The economy is made up of many moving parts so therefore, we cannot just talk about one aspect . . . So, we have to make sure that all the systems are good and we are really taking care of all moving parts,” del Rosario said.

The official said she hopes “our work for this year and the past years would have answered many questions taking into account the movement we have started in pushing for both a trade, investment and development agenda in APEC by our efforts to promote the diffusion of new norms and economic policy, which promote inclusiveness”.

The SOM brings together senior officials from 21 APEC economies. It makes recommendations and facilitates the activities of the APEC leaders.

The senior officials intend to finalize a joint ministerial statement, as well as the declaration, on Saturday.

Del Rosario however admitted it could be quite difficult to come up with a joint statement because it keeps on expanding, even when they try to make it as concise as possible.

She reminded the senior officials “that sometimes we don’t have to put a lot of those things in because we really believe that what we are doing is really there”.

“Sometimes being quiet about it is the best way. I think what I am trying to say here is that: people will know and we will know it. And as people say: You know when a lion is there, the lion does not have to roar.” (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

In his welcome remarks, Secretary Coloma also noted that the International Media Center at the World Trade Center, where the expo is located, will be the home of journalists covering next week’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

“It will be the place from which the media professionals and journalists will be doing their important work of conveying the important events and information emanating from the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting,” he said.

Filipinos are extending the best of the warmth of their hospitality to all the friends and visitors arriving in the country for the APEC summit, he said.

He thanked government partners from Cebu and Mandaue City for their assistance and support in organizing the APEC Expo Philippines 2015, which features the products of the best Filipino craftsmen.

Coloma said he hopes the expo opens up opportunities for excellently crafted, high-quality, Philippine-made products in the world market.

“It is said that the way to make an event most memorable is to give the people who experience it a tangible memento of that event,” he said.

“And so therefore, the souvenirs that are being exhibited—the souvenir items, the handicrafts, the excellent work of Filipino artisans that are here will serve as a memento of the unique experience that is APEC 2015 in the Philippines.”

The expo highlights the country’s push for the inclusion of small and medium businesses in the global value chain that is seen to spur regional trade.

The products featured in the expo are works of small and medium enterprises that are aiming for world-class products and global competition, he said.

In the process, he added, the country is laying the foundations for sustainable growth, upon which the Philippines’ APEC hosting is anchored through the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies and Building a Better World”.

The APEC Expo Philippines 2015 was organized by the Mandaue Chamaber of Commerce and Industry, Balikbayan Handicrafts Corp., and 30 other participating Philippine micro, and small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The expo features furniture, home decors and accessories, food products, fashion accessories, designer gowns and many others. PND (as)

“Because of the very high profile nature of our guests and of course, the nature of the world security today, we have to be ready and we have to be prepared,” Ambassador Paynor said during a media briefing at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Among the leaders who are expected to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18 to19 are US President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Paynor said security arrangements for the leaders have been planned by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in coordination with the security teams of the foreign leaders.

He said possible threats against the leaders are considered in every place they go, thus, these should be addressed accordingly.

“We tweaked the security arrangements depending on the threat assessment … depending on the leaders who are coming,” he said.

Paynor said police personnel in the National Capital Region have been stretched and even complemented by those from other regions.

He said the stringent security preparations are usually done during APEC events.

He also assured the public that cell sites of telecommunication companies will not be blocked next week.

“So, at this point we will continue to have our signal,” he said.

Paynor said preparations for the final APEC meetings, which will start Friday through the Concluding Senior Officials Meeting, are 95 percent to 97 percent ready but they are still scrutinizing minute details to ensure the success of the biggest international event to be hosted by the country since 1996.

“The President (Benigno S. Aquino III) is on top of everything and he has given us the directive that our hosting must be a success from all points,” he said.

“This is really a production of sorts where you have 21 different leaders who have a common agenda, common schedule, but they have also their own. We have to ensure that each economy’s agenda will be followed hassle-free, and that they come out of here feeling satisfied that they have done their work, that their objectives were met. And at that point, we can say that we have had a successful hosting of APEC 2015,” Paynor said. (APEC-PCOO Communications Team)

The president and chief executive officer of A. Magsaysay Inc. said this is one way small businesses can become part of the global supply chain — one of the 23 recommendations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) to the grouping’s economic leaders.

Adopting such a business strategy is not simply altruistic on her part because it decreases her truck maintenance costs, Magsaysay-Ho said.

This is what it means to be inclusive, she said, adding that governments must develop policies that support trade and investment linkages between micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and big business.

Magsaysay-Ho, who chairs this year’s ABAC, noted that MSMEs are the backbone of most APEC economies, accounting for more than 97 percent of enterprises in the region and contributing 60 percent to 90 percent of employment in the APEC.

“The region’s vitality depends on the well-being of MSMEs…We (thus) call on APEC economies to implement measures that would help MSMEs adopt innovation, gain access to finance, enhance participation in the global market, and make them more resilient,” she said.

She said advancements in promoting economic integration and removing barriers to free trade will be useless if MSMEs do not benefit from the opportunities they create.

As part of the APEC, the ABAC has organized the fourth and concluding ABAC Meeting for 2015, the APEC SME Summit, and the ABAC Dialogue with Leaders. APEC Communications Group

“I always say (this) is a very decent amount… something we actually need,” Ambassador Paynor said during a press briefing at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The NOC was created for the country’s hosting of this year’s APEC, a forum promoting free trade and economic cooperation among 21 economies in the Asia-Pacific region. The Philippines is a founding member of the APEC.

Paynor explained that the P10 billion budget went to the hosting of at least 47 meetings from January until November 13 to 19.

He also argued that the fund was not used to acquire new equipment prior to
the start of the meetings.

President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier said that the Philippines could host the
APEC on existing facilities to avoid building white elephants.

Paynor said that the P10 billion budget, which came from the 2014 and 2015 budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) international commitments fund, is an “investment” that stems from the Philippines’ membership in multilateral forums like the APEC.

He further said that the Philippine government needs to ensure the security of the visiting 20 leaders and heads of states coming to Manila for the meeting, and preparations for this will cost a significant amount.

“We have to be ready. We have to prepare,” Paynor said.

He also earlier argued that the Philippine budget for hosting the regional forum is a small fraction of the US$95 million spent by China for landscaping the venue of the APEC 2014 summit in Yanqi Lake, 50 kilometers northeast of Beijing.

For the summit alone, China built a special conference center, a waterfront boutique hotel, and VIP villas.

Reports said it also spent US$6 billion on the preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM). PCOO-APEC Communications Team

During the press conference on the High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on IB in Makati City on Thursday, it was emphasized that adopting IB models will help the region achieve inclusive growth.

Inclusive business refers to core business models of commercially viable companies that provide solutions to the problems of poor and low-income communities.

Unlike corporate social responsibility activities that treat poor communities purely as beneficiaries, inclusive businesses consider the low-income group as economic agents because companies providing these solutions still earn income.

An example of a local IB model where a poor community is part of the supply chain is Kennemer Foods’ Cacao Growership Program. In this program, small farmers supply cacao beans to the company, helping them increase their annual income by sevenfold.

Another IB model is Manila Water’s “Tubig para sa Barangay” (Water for the Community) program in which low-income earners serve as customers for the company. In this model, the company helped 1.6 million low-income communities in Manila gain access to potable water at a lower cost, as it cuts the price of water from P150 per cubic meter to P7 per cubic meter.

“In the context of APEC, this (inclusive business) is very consistent to our theme, ‘Building Inclusive Economy, Building a Better World’,” Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal, Jr. said.

Cristobal mentioned that the Philippines, in its hosting this year, has introduced the concept of IB models in various APEC meetings.

He cited the Boracay Action Agenda, which pushes for the globalization of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); the Cebu Action Plan, which calls for more inclusive financing; and the Iloilo Initiative that aims to provide conventional interventions for capacity building of MSMEs, as initiatives that will support the use of IB models in the APEC.

Prior to the HLD on IB, the APEC conducted the Public-Private Dialogue on IB in August and an IB session during the APEC Women and the Economy Fora in September.

“We have already convinced Peru to continue this during their hosting next year,” added Cristobal.

Adopting IB models to promote inclusive growth is critical in Asia Pacific as the region is home to more than 700 million people living below the US$1.25 per day poverty line. (APEC-PCOO Communications Team)

Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr., director general of the APEC 2015 National Organizing Council (NOC), on Thursday asked everyone’s indulgence, especially those who live in Manila, for all the inconveniences that the annual APEC meetings would cause.

“(APEC 2015) involves not only the government but also the people, hosting this group of leaders who have in their agenda the facilitation of trade within the region,” he said during a press briefing held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

According to Paynor, many APEC meetings were held in several cities across the country and residents also experienced the same inconvenience.

“We have been hosting the APEC since December 2014, and we have had 200-plus meetings,” he said. “It is only now that we experience inconvenience because we have world leaders coming in here.”

Paynor stressed that security is heightened in the Philippine capital city due to the congregation of high-risk leaders.

“We need to understand that threats follow world leaders wherever they go,” he pointed out.

He said the policy is that when the leaders move, there should be no
traffic moving.

“This is not just done here in the Philippines, but also in all APEC summits that I myself have attended in the past. This is the norm. We cannot do any less. That is the inconvenience that security by necessity creates,” Paynor noted.

He said holidays were declared so that traffic could be managed and movements of the leaders to hotels and venues would be unhampered.

“Rest assured, the NOC has taken into consideration the safety of our citizens,” he said.

For next week, Paynor disclosed that they have on registry more than 5,000 delegates who will be arriving in the country for the week-long event.

“We expect 7,000 all here in Metro Manila,” he said. “That is the reason why the NCR’s (National Capital Region) normal police forces have been stretched. We brought in augmentations from other regions.”

He further reported that more than half of the APEC leaders are coming from Turkey and that they are expected to arrive within hours or minutes from each other.

For this, the government has created five arrival points for APEC leaders at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“Departure will be the same, but easier to manage because half of the leaders will be leaving for Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit,” Paynor revealed.

He said President Aquino is “on top of everything” and that his directive is to ensure the country’s hosting is a success from all points of view.

“We have to ensure that each economy’s agenda will be hassle-free, that they have done their work, and that their objectives were met,” Paynor said. “At that point, we can say that we have had a successful hosting of the APEC.” (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

In an interview, Laura Del Rosario, the chair of the APEC 2015 SOM said they will discuss tomorrow services and finance in the concluding SOM meeting.

“We just need to finalize the documents on services. So far I think we have reached alignment already on what we want to do,” she told reporters in an interview.

“We want to eventually do a roadmap for competitive services. But that roadmap again will be done by Peru. In effect what we have done here is to lay down the groundwork and the direction.”

She said APEC members want to make sure that services will be an area that they can talk about thoroughly.

Services is complicated because it’s like products and if the list of services in the general agreement on trade in services is looked into, there are multiple areas in this sector, she said.

This is the first time APEC covered services, a new area for the trade bloc’s discussions. In the past, it used to cover only trade in goods.

Services make up 54 percent of the Philippine economy and sometimes it is bigger than manufacturing, according to Del Rosario.

A new world of employment opportunities in the region open up once trade in services is unlocked, she said.

“And because of this of course, in our pursuit of services, we’re in a way also creating the road for young people to do innovation,” she noted.

And because of the inclusive growth, the region’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) also has wider access to new opportunities.

With the use of new technologies and Internet connectivity, small crafts person or artisans can immediately grow their business and become global, be it in fashion, food or other endeavors, she said.

Another area that needs fine tuning is finance, the SOM chair said.

In the quality growth, APEC senior officials also have to discuss certain areas about finance, which is another complicated area.

“As I said finance is always there and they have to look at the principles of financial regulation because finance is a little complicated right now,” Del Rosario said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Team)

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said in a press briefing that whatever position Indonesia has on issues affecting the region will be reiterated by his own foreign and trade ministers.

“We all know (President Widodo’s) trade minister is very liberal in his decision and knows the issue on APEC,” said Del Rosario. “Indonesia will make sure its position will be reflected at the Senior Officials’ Meeting and the Leaders’ Declaration.”

She said as disclosed by Indonesian senior officials, there are things in Jakarta that need Widodo’s attention.

The Indonesian leader will be coming from the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in Turkey and he needs to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

“This is why he decided to get a period in between to go home and address some domestic concerns,” said Del Rosario who noted that President Widodo is “really very excited” about economic issues as his government will focus on economic growth.

The APEC SOM chair said that when Indonesia President was visiting in the US recently, he had to cut his visit because of the massive forest and land fires in his country.

“That’s what he’s trying to looking into,” said Del Rosario.

It was earlier reported that Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla has been assigned to attend the APEC Summit in Manila on behalf of the Indonesian President.

The reasons behind Jokowi’s refusal to attend the annual conference was not specified. PCOO-APEC Communications Team

Director General of the APEC 2015 National Organizing Council, Marciano Paynor, Jr., on Thursday explained that it is a practice in the APEC Leaders’ Summit that the current, previous and future hosts of the forum sit together in a troika.

He said the seating arrangement calls for the President of the host country to be in the middle, and the leaders of the previous and future summits on either side.

“Normally they are seated together. So, the opportunity for the President and President Xi Jinping will always be there if they wish to talk about issues that are bilateral in nature,” Ambassador Paynor said during a media briefing at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Paynor noted that President Aquino is set to have 11 bilateral meetings next week, while discussions for other bilateral talks are still a work in progress, given the very tight schedule of the visiting leaders.

He said more than half of the 20 leaders will come from Antalya, Turkey after the G20 Leaders’ Summit on November 15 to 16, to attend the AELM in Manila on November 18 to 19.

Some of these leaders will also immediately fly out to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, set on November 18 to 22.

“So, whatever free time they have in between will be arranged, and most of these will be arranged at the last minute,” he said.

Paynor said the bilateral talks between President Aquino and the leaders of 11 other countries will be held either in Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City, in the hotel they will be staying in, or in Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque City. (APEC PCOO Communications Team)

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Ceferino Rodolfo said on Wednesday that the country has delivered its commitment to reduce tariff on 54 environmental goods to 5 percent or less by the end of the year, after President Benigno S. Aquino III signed Executive Order (EO) No. 185 in June.

“After undergoing public hearing and consultation, the EO was signed and we reduced the tariff of 54 environmental goods to 5 percent. We are fully compliant with that goal,” Rodolfo said.

As part of the APEC Leaders’ Declaration during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia in 2012, this initiative aims to increase trade in environmental goods by helping APEC businesses and citizens access environmental technologies at a lower cost.

In return, this commitment of APEC leaders will push for green growth objectives, addressing climate change and securing sustainable economic development.

Most of these environmental goods with tariffs of 5 percent are condensers for steam or other vapor power units, waste incinerators, filtering or purifying machinery, and apparatus for liquids or gas.

The official also mentioned that the country’s solar panel exports would benefit from this APEC initiative.

In fact, California-based SunPower Corp. invested P9 billion in 2014 for the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Batangas. SunPower’s solar cell products are for export.

“We have been benefitting from this APEC initiative. The export of solar panels is one of our interests. We have seen an increase in exports (of solar panels),” Rodolfo added.

Moreover, cutting tariff rates on environmental goods is one of the forum’s actions to achieve free and open trade and investments among the APEC’s 21 member economies.

The Philippines is the APEC host for this year, with the leaders’ summit happening next week. PNA (kc)

This year, APEC discussions have expanded to discussions on development and the unique relationship between trade and development, according to a briefer on the APEC 2015 Policies, Initiatives, and Programs issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), as the government prepares to host the APEC Leaders’ Summit next week.

“APEC member economies are discussing ways to achieve quality economic growth through good governance measures,” it was pointed out in the briefer.

The APEC has thus put forward an APEC Strategy for Strengthening Quality Growth that embeds the principles of institution building, social cohesion/equity, and concern for environmental impact of economic/industrial activities as new dimensions with which growth should be pursued.

The Strategy underscores how quality growth is about the economic well-¬being of every individual and of every economy, focusing on how growth can be sustained over the medium to the long ¬term. Thus, the governments of the APEC economies are called upon to ensure the principles of good governance, transparency, and inclusion in their individual economic pursuits.

In the next five years, this document will serve as a strategic guide for the APEC as an institution and as individual economies in strengthening quality growth through agreed initiatives that could be pursued collectively or unilaterally.

Initiatives cover various areas: health; access to quality education; skills training; mobility; micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs); access to capital; and preparedness for and resilience to disasters, such as by adopting set principles for the movement of humanitarian goods during disasters.

The Framework also supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, reduce inequality, and ensure the well-¬being of all, it was stated in the APEC briefer. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

Secretary Coloma, who arrived at the International Media Center (IMC) on Wednesday morning, was also briefed on the ongoing overall preparations on the hosting of the APEC, especially on media and communication.

After the briefing, he toured the IMC, the International Broadcast Center, as well as other areas in the World Trade Center, which was converted into a media center for the APEC summit.

The International Broadcast Center features a master control room and a production room for television and radio broadcasting. The production room has multiple booths for different media organizations.

The IMC also has a VIP room, small and medium briefing rooms, a main briefing room, and a common press working area, as well as an indoor standup platform.

It also houses the secretariat room, the media lounge, medical clinic, information counter, and a waiting lounge for members of the press who will cover the events at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) during the leaders meeting.

The media dining hall and the exhibit hall for Philippine-made products are located at the left side of the World Trade Center.

The NOC also set up a prayer room located at the left portion of the trade center’s main lobby.

The parking areas are located in front and at both sides of the World Trade Center.

The international media center opens on Thursday (November 12) for the international and local press. PND (as) (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

With this year’s APEC theme of “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World”, President Benigno S. Aquino III said during the APEC Women and the Economy (WE) Fora in August that “harnessing the talents and potential of all women can bring about inclusive progress sooner rather than later”.

Likewise, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), the voice of the business community in the Asia Pacific, has been actively supporting the region’s initiatives for gender equality and women empowerment that will contribute to sustainable growth with equity among member economies.

To understand women’s status in the region and the forum’s initiatives to enhance their economic participation, here are 10 facts about APEC women:

1. According to the United Nations (UN), the APEC region loses some US$47 billion in output each year due to lack of women’s participation in labor markets.

2. On the other hand, the UN also estimated that the APEC region could gain US$89 billion annually when barriers to women’s economic participation are eliminated. Most of these hurdles faced by women are social, legal, financial and educational in nature.

3. Of the APEC’s female population aged 15 years and older, 59 percent were economically active between 2005 and 2013.

4. The APEC WE Dashboard 2015 showed that 60 percent of women among member economies do not have savings accounts.

5. World Bank data show that only 11.7 percent of women aged 15 years and older in the region had borrowed money from a financial institution.

6. Small and medium enterprise (SME) training courses for women increased to 65.3 percent in 2012. This means women in the APEC region are getting more training opportunities on areas related to SME development, either through governmental or non-governmental programs.

7. As APEC now has more access to technology, consumers are more engaged in e-commerce, with 85 percent of purchasing decisions coming from women.

8. The ages between 20 years and 30 years are most crucial for women. Chair of the ABAC, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, said in one of the APEC meetings in Cebu that this is the period when women in the workforce more likely set off their career track because of important choices, whether freely or forcibly made, such as getting married, raising children, caring for an elderly parent, or a combination of these.

9. To harness women’s economic participation in the Asia Pacific, the APEC WE Fora came up with the Strategic Plan 2015-2018, with focus on access to capital; access to markets; capacity building, health, and leadership; technology and innovation; voice and agency.

10. It was during the first APEC hosting of the Philippines in 1996 that member economies founded the Women’s Senior Leaders’ Network, which called on APEC leaders and ministers to put emphasis on the full participation of women and youth in the economic cooperation agenda. PNA (kc)

In a press briefing, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ricardo Marquez, also the head of the APEC Security Task Force, said they are confident of their security plans for the November 18 to 19 meeting that will gather some 21 leaders and heads of states.

“There is no specific threat for us hosting, holding the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting next week,” he said.

“We are very, very confident already that we have put up a very good security plan.”

So far, the PNP group has successfully handled 36 APEC events.

Marquez noted that in these events, they brought the “best people” and gathered the “best practices”.

“We applied the major event security framework of APEC. Our people learned all the job. This is the final show, so we are very, very confident that our security preparedness is so excellent,” he added.

Marquez said 70 percent of the security team deployed for the APEC are PNP personnel, but credited the Metro Manila Development Authority for the traffic scheme, the Philippine Coast Guard for maritime security, and the Philippine Air Force for air traffic and security.

Meanwhile, China has expressed concern about the possible rallies or protests directed against its visiting leader, President Xi Jinping, during the AELM because of the territorial dispute between the two countries.

Although there is no specific threat, the Chinese Embassy in Manila is concerned about protests against China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) when President Xi arrives in Manila on November 17.

The PNP had a briefing at the Chinese Embassy in Makati City earlier on Wednesday.

Marquez however assured that they have put in place measures and security arrangements for the “whole embassy road in Makati”.

Most ambassadors’ residences are either in Dasmariñas Village or Forbes Park in Makati City.

“As host of the APEC, it is our duty that those concerns are properly addressed. This morning, there was a briefing and concerns were properly addressed,” Marquez said.

“(They want) an assurance that we actually laid down the best security that is humanly possible.”

For his part, newly installed Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said hosting the APEC is a rare opportunity for the Philippines, and comes only once every two decades.

“Bisita ng bansa ang lahat ng dadalo. Ibig sabihin bisita sila ng lahat ng Pilipino,” he said. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. explained the reason behind the use of fixed chairs instead of swivel chairs during the APEC leaders’ meetings.

“In APEC, leaders don’t use swivel chairs. They always use fixed chairs because swivel chairs make one turn his back on someone,” Secretary Coloma said on Wednesday when he inspected the World Trade Center, which will be used as the International Media Center for next week’s APEC Summit.

“They use fixed chairs to enable leaders to easily talk to those seated beside them. It keeps a leader from turning his back on someone or talking behind the back of somebody else,” he added.

Coloma likewise said sitting on fixed chairs indicates “openness” among the heads of states.

While leaders strictly use fixed chairs during their meetings, they are expected to be seated on swivel chairs during the welcome dinner to be hosted by President Benigno S. Aquino III on November 18.

Coloma said leaders could use swivel chairs during the gala dinner since it is a less formal occasion where they are expected to mingle with one another.

The swivel chairs to be used during the banquet will be designed by world-renowned Filipino furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue.

Cobonpue has been tapped by the government for the welcome reception for APEC leaders.

He will also make the souvenirs that will be given to the 21 APEC leaders. PND (jb)

These targets, known as the “Bogor Goals”, emerged when APEC leaders gathered in Bogor, Indonesia in 1994.

In achieving the Bogor Goals, member economies have committed to reduce barriers to trade and investments by pushing for a free flow of goods, services and capital.

Bogor Goals achievements
Since the establishment of the APEC in 1989, the average most favored nation (MFN) tariff or the lowest possible import duty that can be applied declined from 16.9 percent to 5.7 percent in 2012, the APEC Bogor Goals Progress Report shows.

It also noted that conditions for foreign service providers have improved in some sectors. Likewise, some APEC economies are now open to liberalize their markets for foreign ownership while other member economies are trying to attract investors by improving tax conditions and providing legal stability.

Member economies are also boosting efforts to adopt and align to international standards. Adopting the international standards will help free the flow of trade in the region.

Regional trade agreements (RTAs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) are also expanding within the Asia Pacific. Trade negotiations under RTAs and FTAs in the region have pushed APEC member economies to hasten the implementation of the forum’s initiatives towards achieving the Bogor Goals.

Philippine progress on the Bogor Goals
As of 2014, 57.5 percent of the tariff lines in the Philippines are charged with MFN tariffs of 5 percent or below.

This is also expected to improve as President Benigno S. Aquino III signed an Executive Order in June 2015 that reduces the tariff of 54 environmental goods to 5 percent, in line with the Philippines’ commitment to the forum’s trade initiative.

Furthermore, 79.2 percent of the domestic standards are aligned with international standards.

However, the developing APEC economy still has investment restrictions, particularly on foreign equity, and its Foreign Investment Negative List has 11 sectors where no foreign equity is allowed.

How the Philippines will benefit from trade and investment liberalization
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Ceferino Rodolfo, in an interview, said the Philippines has proven the benefits of trade and investment liberalization through FTAs with the improvement of economic figures in the past few years.

Rodolfo cited the benefits of the Philippines in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) FTA, a sub-region trade pact in the APEC, which eliminated tariff on goods since 2010.

“Our tariffs are very competitive. The growth of our industries has proven that,” he added.

He mentioned that the country’s average manufacturing growth was at 8 percent during the 2010-2014 period, up from 2.4 percent during the 2005-2009 period.

Investment growth soared to 12.7 percent in the 2010-2014 period from 0.4 percent growth in the 2005-2009 period while net foreign direct investments rose to US$6.2 billion in 2014 from US$1.07 billion in 2010.

These contributed to gross domestic product (GDP) expansion of the country to peg at 6.2 percent per year from 2010 to 2014 from its previous annual GDP growth of 2 percent from 2005 to 2009.

“We still have challenges to achieve these goals of free and open trade and investments but we have achieved so much under this administration,” the official noted.

“We have been undertaking reform efforts like the Competition Law, opening our banking industry, Cabotage Law, and other pending high-priority legislations,” he added.

The APEC region is a significant trade and investment partner for the Philippines.

As of June 2015, the country’s top five export markets were APEC member economies — Japan, the United States, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Top five import sources for the Philippines were all APEC members: China, the US, Japan, Singapore, and Chinese Taipei.

In terms of investment sources, APEC economies including Japan, South Korea, the US, and Singapore are the country’s top foreign investors, as of the first quarter of this year. PNA (kc)

Transportation ministers of the Asia-Pacific region discussed inclusive mobility, developing sustainable transport systems, and encouraging innovation and transport systems.

Among the highlights of the Cebu discussions were the inclusion of women in the transport sector, new technological developments in the sector such as Uber, and opportunities that await women in the sector.

The following were raised during the APEC’s discussions on transportation:

The ABAC on women’s rights
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) urged the transport sector to promote women’s rights and equal rights regardless of gender during the Cebu meetings.

The ABAC’s Chair Doris Magsaysay-Ho noted that women are better drivers than men, contrary to popular perceptions. Uber Technologies, Inc. already has plans to hire women drivers.

Uber, a worldwide app-based business
Uber is a San Francisco-based international transportation network company that develops, markets and operates the Uber mobile app. The app allows consumers with smartphones to submit a trip request, which is then routed to Uber drivers who use their own cars.

The service is available in 58 countries and 300 cities worldwide, including the Philippines. By middle of this year, Uber was estimated to be worth US$50 billion.

Opportunities for women in the shipping sector
Today, more women, including Filipinos, have the opportunity to enter the shipping sector, previously dominated by men, owing to the acute shortage of top officers among ship managers.

Major seafaring nation
The Philippines is home to at least 25 percent of the world’s seafarers, among whom are Filipino women, according to Magsaysay-Ho, the chief executive officer of Magsaysay Maritime Corp.

First American woman ship captain
Kate McCue is the first American woman to captain a cruise ship. The 37-year-old McCue took the helm of the 91,000-ton cruise vessel last September. She was in charge of more than 2,000 passengers and a crew of almost 1,000.

Marriage, child bearing and raising family hamper women’s careers
Female cadets who start at 20 years old would be 30 years old when they become eligible to become sea captain. Companies must consider this reality when developing workforce policies.

Losses due to women’s non-participation in workforce
The APEC region loses US$42 billion to US$ 47 billion due to women’s limited participation in the workforce.

Women, not well represented
Women’s labor participation in the sector is relatively low and they are not adequately represented in the transportation workforce, according to Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs of the United States Department of Transportation Susan Kurland.

She said the transportation sector is crucial to women’s economic empowerment as it allows mobility and provides career opportunities.

US initiative to include women in the transport sector
In 2011, the US DOT called for a special session on women during the 7th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting.

As a result, ministers directed the APEC Transportation Working Group to launch a ‘Women in Transportation’ initiative to develop and implement actions that advance opportunities for women throughout the sector.

The Women in Transportation initiative builds on core principles of the APEC’s Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy.

Walking instead of motorized transport use
During the APEC meeting in Cebu, the Philippines proposed an Inclusive Mobility Network, which aims to gather best practices in the region and put together guidelines for sustainable mobility.

At the same time, the country promoted non-motorized mobility, particularly in central business districts, to encourage people to use bicycles or to walk. PND (as)

One of the key ministerial meetings held in the lead-up to the APEC 2015 Summit was the 12th Energy Ministers’ Meeting (EMM) that was convened last month in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

During the EMM, it was stressed that sustainable energy is a vital component of the Asia Pacific’s economic growth.

Here are some facts on the APEC’s energy sector:

1. Economic growth means higher energy demand.

The expansion of economic activities in the region would require more energy to continue business operations.

Since the forum’s establishment, the gross domestic product (GDP) of APEC economies doubled from US$16 trillion in 1989 to US$31 trillion in 2013.

Based on forecasts of the International Monetary Fund, the APEC region’s GDP is expected to grow by 3.2 percent in the 2015 to 2016 period, with China and the Philippines leading the economic growth with a GDP growth of 6.3 percent.

On the other hand, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) projects energy demand in the Asia Pacific to grow by 3.2 percent in 2015 and 2016 compared to a 2.9 percent increase in 2014.

Between now and 2030, energy demand in the APEC region is expected to double.

2. Energy production could hardly meet the higher demand.

The region’s 2.8 billion population accounts for 60 percent of the global energy consumption.

However, the region’s share in global energy production is only at 55 percent.

3. There is a need to shift to clean power sources.

The APEC is pushing for a sustainable energy sector by doubling the capacity of renewable energy by 2030 and resorting to energy sources other than coal.

If the region fails to tap other sources of energy, the APEC is likely to be heavily dependent on coal-fired power plants, which are estimated to account for 70 percent of the total energy capacity in the next 15 years. This would contribute to further global warming and will not mitigate climate change.

The forum also recognizes the importance of the safe and efficient development of civil nuclear power as an option to produce clean, high-quality and advanced modern energy, in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nuclear energy does not emit greenhouse gases or carbon dioxide.

The APEC economies that are using nuclear energy are Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, and the United States, while Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam are looking into adopting nuclear resources as part of energy generation.

4. The region’s energy sector needs to become resilient.

Aside from shifting to clean energy, APEC member economies also target to increase investments in power facilities that can withstand extreme conditions given the threats of climate change.

This means advancing cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies and promoting resilient energy infrastructure by improving trade and investments in the sector. This is in line with the forum’s goal of reducing power intensity by 45 percent in 2035.

5. Better policies attract energy investments.

Recognizing the crucial role of the energy sector in the APEC, governments in the Asia Pacific are urged to institutionalize better investment policies to attract energy projects in the region.

During the EMM in Cebu, Australian Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg noted that better policies on taxes, workplace relations, and investment regulations should be in place in each APEC member economy to attract energy projects — whether in research and development, new technologies, or new facilities.

Frydenberg added that it is an opportune time to invest in the energy sector, given the lower prices of oil and gas.

According to the ADB, the Asia-Pacific region requires an investment of US$7 trillion to US$9.7 trillion in the energy sector from 2005 to 2030.

Energy ministers came up with the Cebu Ministerial Declaration and Instructions, which will be presented during the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting next week.

The Cebu Ministerial Declaration and Instructions tapped key areas including climate-proofing energy infrastructure, improving energy trade and investment in the APEC, advancing cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies, and promoting community-based clean energy use in poverty-stricken areas to ensure energy security, sustainability, and resiliency in the region. PNA (kc)

Doris Magsaysay-Ho, who chairs the ABAC 2015, said this is part of the 23 recommendations the council will present to the leaders of the 21 APEC member economies when they meet next week.

“The ABAC supports the multilateral trading system,” Magsaysay-Ho said.

As a rules-based, transparent, and non-discriminatory global trading system, the WTO remains to be the best option to counter protectionism, the ABAC said in its recommendations.

“The ABAC urges the early implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in December this year. The ABAC calls on APEC economies to lead in seeking to reinvigorate and conclude the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations,” it said.

The Trade Facilitation Agreement seeks to expedite the movement, release, and clearance of goods, seeking cooperation, mostly with customs authorities.

Negotiations in the WTO’s Doha Round, which seeks to lower trade barriers around the world and thus facilitate increased global trade, were stalled after a breakdown in talks in 2008 over agriculture, industrial tariffs and non-tariff barriers, services, and trade remedies between developed and developing nations.

Since the breakdown of talks, there have been repeated attempts to revive them.

At the same time, the ABAC wants APEC leaders to support the Trade in Services Agreement negotiations, for the further liberalization of trade in services.

“Identifying and addressing non-tariff barriers that inhibit access to markets, including finding practical ways to engage and empower business to take the lead in these efforts” are important, said the business leaders of the APEC economies.

Magsaysay-Ho conceded that the Trade in Services Agreement is particularly problematic because it involves the movement of people across borders. She however said services are the next big thing in world trade.

The ABAC also supports the consensus reached by 54 WTO members on the expansion of the product coverage of the Information Technology Agreement, which seeks to completely eliminate duties on IT products covered by the Agreement.

The APEC business groups “strongly urge APEC economies which are participating in the negotiations to lead the final conclusion of the said negotiations without delay”, the council said in its recommendations. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

To be held during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW), the APEC SME Summit will carry the theme, “Innovation and Big Ideas: Pushing Boundaries”, aiming to challenge the traditional framework and mindset of micro and SMEs to further innovate their businesses.

About 1,500 delegates, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the Asia Pacific, government officials, ABAC members, business organizations, and business students are expected to participate in the event.

The APEC SME Summit will present exhibits and talks featuring leaders of successful enterprises in the region, particularly those with innovative and disruptive business models.

Among the APEC region’s business leaders who will share innovation insights, experiences, and inspiring stories are AirAsia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Fernandes, Care.com Founder and CEO Sheila Marcelo, and Xurpas, Inc. President and CEO Nix Nolledo.

President Benigno S. Aquino III will also grace the APEC SME Summit as keynote speaker.

Target outcomes of the summit are innovation partnerships between and among SMEs and innovators, a network of APEC SME entrepreneurs and practitioners in the innovation space, documentation of inspiring stories, and recognition of successful SME innovators with transformative solutions and ideas.

The APEC SME Summit is part of the forum’s initiative to increase the participation of MSMEs in the global value chain.

The sector, the engine of growth and innovation in the APEC, comprises more than 97 percent of enterprises in the region, and more than half of the total workforce in APEC member economies. It also has a 20 percent to 50 percent share of the region’s gross domestic product, and contributes up to 35 percent of direct exports. PNA (kc)

Among the venues inspected by the President include the Philippine International Convention Center meeting venues, MOA Arena, and NAIA terminals 1, 2, and 3 where APEC delegates will arrive and depart.

The President also inspected the Kalayaan hangar area of the Villamor Air Base, which will be used by some of the leaders.

He was accompanied by Cabinet members led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., the chairperson of the APEC national organizing committee.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) conducted a dry run of the APEC special lane in EDSA on Monday simulating the transport of APEC delegates as well as ensuring tight security.

The country will host the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting from November 17 to 20. PND (as)

This was one of the recommendations made by delegates from the public and private sectors who attended an APEC dialogue on reducing food losses in the supply chain of fishery and livestock, held in Iloilo City last September.

In particular, the event was designated to identify the importance of developing a systematic approach to reducing post-harvest loss through the value chain, and increasing capability for producers to target high-value products in export and domestic markets, thus providing economic gain.

The participants determined that building technical and policy capabilities across APEC economies, and providing a stable regulatory framework to encourage investments in innovative solutions would best achieve a sustainable reduction of post-harvest loss.

The participants to the dialogue also urged APEC member economies to foster communication among smallholders, business groups, researchers and decision-makers for further collaborations in food loss assessment methodologies and toolkit development, and for working in a wide variety of agricultural trade and sustainable development-related policy issues.

According to the delegates, the outcome of the event supports their position that the sustainable business model to reduce food losses along the value chain needs strong partners from both the public and private sectors in the APEC region. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

The APEC has been where ideas incubate, del Rosario said, citing two instances of the successful transformation of ideas into action: the recently negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that was introduced during APEC 2009, and the digital revolution that followed APEC 2010.

The TPP, a binding trade agreement that contains measures to lower trade barriers, such as tariffs, and establishes an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism, was introduced by United States President Barack Obama in APEC 2009, del Rosario said.

Twelve of the 21 APEC economies finalized the TPP last October 5, building on the 2005 formation called P4, composed of four APEC members — New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore, and Chile.

Later, Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, the United States, and Vietnam joined to expand P4 into the TPP. In a recent visit to the US, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said his country intends to join the TPP formation.

On the other hand, the product innovation that saw the invention, manufacture, and sale of digital items like iPods came after Japan’s hosting of the APEC in 2010. In that conference, the Yokohama Vision, which emphasized innovation, was produced.

Del Rosario explained that the non-binding nature of the APEC can be advantageous because its discussions are at the level of principles and therefore less restrictive, unlike for instance in the stalled World Trade Organization negotiations. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr. said the security considerations for the leaders’ meeting this year is the most challenging aspect of hosting the APEC.

“The challenges are twice or three times more (compared to the 1996 hosting),” Paynor said during a press briefing in Malacañang.

“More than anything else, there are security considerations. ‘Yun ang hinihingi namin na pang-unawa ng ating mga kababayan na bisita natin sila, kailangan natin silang pangalagaan.”

He noted that the security threats against some of the 21 leaders of the APEC economies are not domestic, but external.

Compared to the security measures undertaken during Pope Francis’ visit to Manila in January this year, the NOC director-general said pressure for the APEC preparations is “much more”.

The security consideration, he added, is at the “highest level”.

During the briefing, Paynor sought public understanding during the leaders’ meeting on November 18 to 19 because of the expected heavy traffic in certain parts of Metro Manila.

The government has appealed to the public to avoid closed roads and follow rerouting schemes during the leaders’ week.

Paynor said that despite the challenges and the pressure to keep the meetings secure, it is high time for the Philippines to host another APEC meet.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has just confirmed attendance to the APEC meet, following the confirmations by US President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others.

There is an expected 10,000 delegation coming to Manila for the APEC leaders’ week. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

From November 16 to 20, special APEC-only lanes will be set up along EDSA, and the entirety of Roxas Boulevard will be closed to non-APEC vehicles.

The full list of advisories may be found on the official APEC Philippines website, apec2015.ph, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Saturday.

“The page contains infographics on road closures around the Mall of Asia Arena and CCP Complex areas, as well as information on alternate routes, truck bans, and no-fly zones,” she told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan.

“The public is further advised that the number coding scheme will still be implemented during Leaders’ Week. Motorists and travelers are advised to plan accordingly.”

Additional information to be found on the APEC 2015 website include announcements regarding work and class suspensions, as well as guidelines on pay rules for November 18 and 19, which have earlier been declared as special non-working days in National Capital Region, she said.

The website also contains a feature containing suggestions on how Metro Manila residents can make the most of the long weekend, Valte added.

The Palace official also announced that starting November 9, the APEC Channel will be going live on SkyCable Channel 133.

This is part of the government’s effort to bring the hosting closer to the people, she said.

She said that apart from airing coverage of speeches, meetings, and press briefings, the APEC Channel will also feature live broadcasts of the arrivals of the twenty Economic Leaders and the Leaders’ Welcome Reception on November 18.

The Channel is complemented by a free app called APEC TV, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or App Store, according to Valte.

“We encourage the public to download the app, so they can get real-time updates on schedules, photos, and releases,” she said.

The Philippines will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center from Nov. 17 to 20. PND (as)

A total of 229 meetings, including meetings under the APEC Finance Ministers’ Process, sectoral ministerial meetings and high-¬level policy dialogues, and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) as the private sector arm of APEC.

Policies, initiatives, and programs were developed during these meetings. Some of these include:

1.) The Renewed APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (RAASR) which was endorsed by the APEC Structural Reform Ministers. The The RAASR reaffirms economies’ commitment to accelerate efforts to address institution building in APEC economies through structural reform and targeted capacity building on economic governance, unilateral reforms aimed at further improving the services sector, regulatory infrastructure, and competition policy.

2.) The Boracay Action Agenda (BAA) to Globalize micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which was developed by APEC Trade Ministers. BAA outlines actions that are practical and important for MSMEs’ participation in global trade, such as access to finance, e-¬commerce, and markets. APEC officials have also developed an implementation Plan which will guide economies to identify areas of convergence across APEC fora, and work with ABAC on complementary projects and efficient use of resources in implementing MSME initiatives.

3.) The Cebu Action Plan (CAP) which was developed by APEC Finance Ministers. The CAP is a roadmap and a “living document” that will guide economies promote intra-¬regional trade and investments, connectivity, infrastructure development, and MSME and supply chain financing. It works on four pillars: promoting financial integration; advancing fiscal reforms and transparency; enhancing financial resiliency; and accelerating infrastructure development and financing.

4.) The APEC Strategy for Strengthening Quality Growth that embeds the principles of institution building, social cohesion/equity, and concern for environmental impact of economic/industrial activities as new dimensions with which growth should be pursued. The Strategy underscores how quality growth is about the economic well-¬being of every individual and of every economy, focusing on how growth can be sustained over the medium-¬ to long-¬term. Thus, governments of each APEC economy are called to ensure the principles of good governance, transparency, and inclusion in their individual economic pursuits.

In the next 5 years until 2020, this document will serve as a strategic guide for APEC as an institution and as individual economies in strengthening quality growth through agreed initiatives that could be pursued collectively or unilaterally.

5.) The Strategic Plan of the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) 2015-2018 was developed by APEC this year to advance women’s full and equal economic participation through improved access to capital and assets;; access to markets; skills, capacity uilding, and health; women’s leadership, voice, and agency; innovation and technology.

Projects include the Women and the Economy Dashboard to track, measure, and communicate progress in reducing barriers to women’s economic participation; the Guide in Gender Criteria for APEC Project Proposal to ensure mainstreaming of gender perspectives across APEC; and the Policy Toolkit on Healthy Women, Healthy Economy to improve the physical and mental health, safety, and well-¬being of women in the workplace.

6.) The APEC Disaster Risk Reduction Framework facilitates collective work in building adaptive and disaster-¬resilient economies supporting inclusive and sustainable development in the face of the “new normal”-¬the increasing frequency, magnitude and scope of natural disasters, and the resultant disruption on the increasingly integrated and interlinked production and supply chains. The Framework enables collaboration in the four interoperable and mutually reinforcing pillars, namely: Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Rehabilitation and Build Back Better.

7.) The APEC Group of Friends on Disability was established to promote sharing of information, resources and good practices on disability issues among APEC members. APEC is also developing an Inclusive Mobility Framework in 2016 aimed to develop safe, secure and accessible transportation for persons with disabilities.

Also this November, Leaders are expected to endorse the APEC Services Cooperation Framework (ASCF) as a long-¬term strategic document, which will provide a common direction and more coherence in APEC’s work on services and help economies gain a deeper understanding of the policy and regulatory settings that will best facilitate innovative, productive, and vibrant services sectors, as appropriate to their needs.

This Framework recognizes that more competitive services sectors help create jobs, produce quality goods, widen choices for consumers, and harness opportunities for businesses particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises. The ASCF is complemented by the APEC Virtual Knowledge Center (to be launched at CSOM), the APEC Services Trade Access Requirements (STAR) Database, and the recently endorsed Manufacturing-¬Related Services Action Plan and Environmental Services Action Plan. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

During the September meeting, 18 participants from industry research and private sector trade organizations in the APEC discussed current issues in food trade — food standards and food safety, the continuing rise of non‐tariff barriers, barriers to the advancement and increased availability of new technologies, such as genetic modification, and the food-related dynamics of new trade agreements.

The outcomes and recommendations of the AP‐FIF Meeting, which were presented by APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) PPFS Co‐Chair Tony Nowell of New Zealand during the APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security Meeting, are:

1.) The food industry has to present more compellingly to governments and consumers the benefits of open trade, including ensuring a secure supply of safe and adequate nutrition for all APEC economies.

2.) Keep ambitions high in the negotiation of trade agreements, including on market access for food products.

3.) The private sector, in partnership with governments, has to find market‐based solutions to the challenges of feeding growing populations with adequate supplies of safe, nutritious and sustainably‐produced food.

4.) The growth of food supply and value chains comes along with emerging choke points in many critical areas. These choke points must be addressed by policymakers, with input from the private sector.

5.) The APEC Action Plan on Food Security should be reviewed and refined to identify the priority areas of specific partnership between the public and private sectors, and the concrete actions needed to make progress in those areas. There is also the need for identification and agreement on those parts of the action plan that are the clear responsibility of either governments or the private sector to execute.

6.) Governments should bring renewed focus and thought leadership to food security issues, both in the APEC setting and in negotiating new trade agreements that will set the parameters for trade in food for decades to come.

7.) New and innovative technologies, including genetic modification and synthetic biology, should be allowed more freedom to develop, with clear boundaries between restrictions based on proven scientific evidence versus restrictions based on philosophical concerns.

8.) Non‐tariff barriers must be addressed in concrete and practical ways.

9.) Also emphasized was the need for science‐based food safety measure and the good sense in supporting the laudable and increasingly effective efforts of the APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum.

10.) The AP-FIF also highlighted the need to recognize the potential of new and innovative technologies, including increased access to genetic modification in the food sector. (PCOO-APEC Communications Group)

Start-ups, particularly digital start-ups, have emerged by exploring new technologies and exploiting old technologies in new ways. Their innovative business models have created new markets where their products or services can be offered.

Think of Uber, which directly links riders and commuters through an online application, changing the way of commuting in cities; or Airbnb, an online platform that allows home or property owners to rent out their space to travellers, enabling the latter to experience the culture of a particular place and offering them more options; or the Philippines’ own Kalibrr, which has transformed how jobseekers find jobs and how companies hire talents by directly connecting candidates and firms, doing away with recruitment agencies. These are all digital start-ups that affect the market through technology and innovation.

The 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have recognized the potential of digital start-ups in achieving sustainable economic growth in the region.

Here are the APEC initiatives to harness the potentials of start-ups:

1. Slingshot MNL

The APEC and the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry have partnered to hold the first Slingshot MNL in July, in an effort to boost start-ups in the region.

Slingshot MNL gathered leading figures in the international start-up community, including Start-up Chile founder Nicolas Shea, Hugh Mason from leading Asian investment firm JFDI Asia, and Professor Richard Dasher from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

A key take-away during the conference is the need to strengthen collaboration among the government, the business sector, and the academe to boost start-up communities to address such challenges as policy reforms for start-ups, improving access to finance, and continuous development of skills and talents.

2. APEC Accelerator Network (AAN)

An initiative of Chinese Taipei, the AAN pushes more micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to utilize new technology and innovation and benefit from the opportunities of digital economy. This could be achieved by giving start-ups access to accelerator programs and resources.

Like business incubators, which help start-ups survive in the vulnerable early stages of development, accelerators focus on start-ups with the potential to grow both in the domestic and global markets.

Currently, the AAN has 50 accelerator partners from 15 APEC member economies.

3. AAN Summit and Global Challenge

The annual AAN Summit and Global Challenge is a platform for start-ups to pitch their businesses to multinational companies in the region.

Since its launch in 2013, the AAN Summit and Global Challenge attracted more than 800 participants, among them 60 start-up teams from APEC member economies, as well as representatives of high-profile international venture capitalists, angel investors, and corporate executives.

After participating in the Challenge, a number of start-ups successfully gained access to funding and launched their businesses in the global market.

4. Diversified financing

During the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Finance Forum in Iloilo City in September, APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Chair Doris Magsaysay-Ho urged member economies to provide diversified financial instruments for the changing needs of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which include start-ups, in the region.

“We need financing instruments that will provide financing for start-ups as well as financial innovation that responds to the changing business models,” Ho said.

With this year’s APEC theme of “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World”, start-ups — as part of MSMEs – have begun gaining support from member economies.

Like any MSME, start-ups are urged to tap and participate in the global market. PNA (kc)

Organized in 1989, the APEC aims to foster economic prosperity among Pacific Rim economies, with heavyweight members like the United States, Japan, Australia, China and Russia.

When the Philippines hosted the 4th APEC Summit in November 1996, the Ramos administration chose Subic Bay as the venue and made it presentable and comfortable to the foreign dignitaries.

The leaders met in a brand-new building equipped with state-of-the-art conference facilities. Several cabanas were even built to the specifications of their guests, who used them for, at most, only four hours.

This month, APEC economic leaders will meet at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Asia’s first international convention center, which had set a trend that led other countries to build their own convention centers.

According to PICC’s website, the convention center was designed by Filipino National Artist in Architecture Leandro Locsin. The PICC Complex formally opened on September 5, 1976 to host the World Bank’s International Monetary Fund Annual Meeting.

After the event, the PICC established itself as one of the most versatile event arenas in the Asia-Pacific region by being the venue of political summits, medical conventions, and performances of international artists as varied as Luciano Pavarotti, the Bolshoi Ballet, Ricky Martin and Burt Bacharach.

Built on reclaimed land along scenic Manila Bay in the Philippine capital, the PICC has more than 70,000 square meters of floor area and a range of facilities that can accommodate even large gatherings.

The PICC has five building modules: the Delegation Building, Secretariat Building, Plenary Hall, Reception Hall, and The Forum. These modules are versatile enough to be transformed into almost any number of settings for any kind of exhibition, convention or special event.

Strategically located at the heart of Manila, the PICC is also an architectural landmark that houses the paintings and sculptures of various Filipino masters.

It is a few minutes away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and is close to major hotels, shopping malls, and other interesting tourist spots in Manila.

The center is a WiFi zone and has an IT Support team on hand to cater to IT requirements of organizers, such as wired and wireless Internet connectivity, virtual private network (VPN), web casting, and video conferencing.

All functions and meeting rooms have dedicated wired and wireless local area network control by unified tread management (UTM) for Internet bandwidth speed allocation.

The PICC is well-secured with round-the-clock closed circuit television cameras (CCTV). It is also equipped with baggage X-ray machines and metal detectors. Roving security guards ensure safety and security in and around the venues.
The PICC complex has ample parking spaces and can accommodate as many as 400 vehicles.

In June this year, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), a 1,000-member, Amsterdam-based world body, modestly ranked the Philippines in terms of attracting international events.

The PICC’s marketing and events management director, Dinah Gonzalez, has expressed optimism about the country’s international association events status.

“We hope that we (in the Philippines) will further improve our standing in the ICCA report by next year, considering that we went down by one notch in 2014 (from 49th in 2013 to 50th in 2014),” Gonzalez said.

However, the Philippine events industry and its ICCA ranking can improve, she said, citing “the country’s robust economy, improved peace and order situation; hotels and infrastructure developments; new roads for access and connectivity, and upgraded airports”.

The nation’s growing popularity as a tourist attraction “should (also) help boost our collective efforts towards attracting more international associations to choose the Philippines for their events”, Gonzalez added.

More importantly, the Philippines could improve its standing with the nation’s hosting of the upcoming APEC leaders’ meetings, she explained.

The nation can build on this achievement, Gonzalez said.

“We should definitely capitalize on the international exposure that our hosting of the APEC meetings would bring,” she said.

As the country holds its elections next year, the integrated marketing communications programs of the Department of Tourism must be carried over to the next administration, as these campaigns have proven to be effective in promoting the country globally, Gonzalez added. PND (as)

This was emphasized by sociopolitical analyst, De La Salle University Assistant Professor Richard Heydarian, as the Philippines gears up to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) to be held on November 18 and 19 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

“A successful and impressive hosting of the APEC will surely help sustain and even augment the (Philippines’) increasingly less bleak international image, and this may have some knock-on effects in the realm of tourism and investments,” said Heydarian, who is also an opinion columnist for international media outlets Al Jazeera and The Huffington Post.

“We will be in the global spotlight when world leaders gather here soon,” he added.

The AELM will gather leaders of 21 APEC member economies, among them Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States President Barack Obama, and up to 20,000 participants — support staff, security, media and businessmen.

Preparations for the meetings have been underway since last year, and the cities of Cebu and Iloilo have hosted related meetings.

The local governments of both provinces said the APEC delegation has boosted tourism in their respective cities, and more are expected to come after the delegates “enjoyed” the Filipino hospitality and local sites.

Malacañang also assured that the Philippines is ready to welcome the Asia-Pacific leaders later this month, and measures have been placed to deal with protesters and related security issues.

There would be road closures, no-fly zones, and traffic rerouting schemes during the summit week from November 16 to 20.

Heydarian however said that “it takes way more than hosting a single event to bring in quality investments and revamp our tourism sector”.

He noted that the Philippines must engage in massive infrastructure development and reduction of red tape to attract much needed investments. (APEC Communications Group)

In the Iloilo Plan of Action, which was adopted at the conclusion of the two-day APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and Blue Economy hosted by Iloilo City last month, the high-level officials recognized the important role of small-scale fisheries to food security, nutrition and livelihoods of coastal communities, noting that the sector accounts for one-half of the global fish catch and considering that small-scale fishing communities are often economically and environmentally vulnerable.

The APEC officials said they were also aware that agribusiness offers opportunities for increased income and integration of small-scale fishers and fish farmers, cooperatives, associations, and other stakeholders in food supply chains.

In the Plan of Action, they enumerated 10 ways to increase food security and inclusive growth by promoting agribusiness, market development, and open and fair trade to enable the integration of small-scale fishers and fish farmers into global food chains. Member economies need to:

1.) Facilitate food trade in fish and aquaculture products while ensuring the sustainability of resources and their related environment;

2.) Enhance the capacity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in agribusiness, and foster market integration and development of small-scale fishers and smallholder fish farmers, in particular women and indigenous communities, into the global fish and fish food chains;

3.) Strengthen public-private partnership on improving food safety and efficiency along supply chains;

4.) Enhance the APEC Oceans and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) and the APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS) and relevant APEC sub-fora collaboration on agribusiness in fishery and aquaculture, market development, cold chain technology, preservation practices of fish and fish products and trade in products of fisheries and aquaculture;

5.) Ensure the livelihoods of coastal communities, strengthen and improve capacity building on cold chain management and preservation practices of fish and fish products to small-scale fishers, smallholder fish farmers, including women and indigenous communities;

6.) Encourage agribusiness and market development to implement, as appropriate, certification schemes on aquatic products, and supply chain management to ensure sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, aquatic products traceability and food safety;

7.) Expand capacity building on fish seed quality, fish product quality and food safety standards for small-scale fishers and smallholder fish farmers, particularly women groups;

8.) Promote fish farm clusters through organizing production and marketing groups and cooperatives to enhance the capacity of small-scale holder fish farms to meet quality standards and market access;

9.) Foster cooperation on technology innovation between agribusiness, the science community and private sector industry to improve techniques, product quality and added value for upgrading the aquaculture sector; and

10.) Facilitate investment and public-private partnerships on infrastructure building in fisheries and aquaculture to contribute to food security.

These recommendations will be presented to the APEC Leaders during their upcoming meeting in Manila. (APEC Communications Group)

As Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala puts it in his Opening Statement: “Food is a basic need. As one community, we ought to put our strength and ideas together to ensure that there will always be safe and nutritious food on the plates of our citizens.”

According to Secretary Alcala, it is a huge challenge to talk about food security and a sustainable supply chain if marine ecosystems are under threat of degradation due to illegal, unreported and unregulated or IUU fishing, and changing global climate patterns.

He noted that APEC delegates need to come up with responsive and feasible plans and recommendations that will ensure the “sustainability of the economic benefits we get from our seas”.

At the conclusion of the two-day dialogue, the APEC delegates adopted the Iloilo Plan of Action, the product of a dialogue that involved smallholders, including marginal and sub-marginal farmers and entrepreneurs.

In this Plan of Action, one of the priorities identified was ensuring a resilient ocean and coastal resources and ecosystems, coastal communities and sustainable aquaculture.

To advance sustainable management and conservation of oceans and coastal resources and sustainable aquaculture to ensure a resilient food supply, the delegates recommended that APEC economies:

1.) strengthen local, regional and international capacities and collaboration to conserve and manage fishery resources, including to combat IUU fishing;

2.) enhance their capacities and collaboration on research, science and technology application, ecosystem services, conservation, restoration and sustainable development of coastal ecosystems, biodiversity and marine habitats;

3.) expand ongoing efforts to share information on best practices on integrated sustainable management of the coastal and marine environment, including marine protected against him and as, to contribute to Blue Economy and fishery biodiversity;

4.) promote sustainable aquaculture and fisheries practices to achieve Blue Economy, through information sharing, capacity building, sharing of best practice, private sector stakeholders’ engagement and increased cooperation on research development and innovation, taking into account ecosystems-based approaches;

5.) apply innovative farming and processing technologies on edible aquatic plants in the region;

6.) expand research and information sharing on diseases found in farmed fish populations for improved fish health;

7.) increase their collaboration, develop integrated strategies, and enhance monitoring and research on preventing, mitigating and adapting to disasters and the impacts of ocean acidification and climate change, including sea level rise and enhanced storm surge on biodiversity, fisheries and aquaculture to reduce vulnerability;

8.) expand efforts on preventing and mitigating pollution, responsible waste management, and the loss or illegal discarding of fishing gear, to reduce land-based and marine pollution and marine debris;

9.) promote innovative waste management solutions to prevent marine debris;

10.) conduct capacity building and share best practices on Blue Economy to advance sustainable management and conservation of oceans and coastal resources to foster economic growth.

These recommendations will be endorsed to the APEC Leaders who will meet in Manila this month.

“This is part of our effort to bring the hosting to more people because, as the delegates come, coverage will be restricted but we would want our fellow Filipinos to see what will be going on inside and what the activities are,” Valte said during the daily press briefing in Malacañang.

“This is part of our desire to bring the hosting closer to most of our people. The APEC channel will feature information on traffic schemes, as well as air coverage of speeches, meetings, and press briefings.”

The public can tune in at Channel 133 to watch a live broadcast of the arrival of the 20 economic leaders as President Benigno S. Aquino III receives them on November 18, she said.

The channel will serve as the people’s all-access pass to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, she added.

Valte further said that apart from the APEC channel, updates will also be available at the Google Playstore, the Apple iTunes Store and the app, MyAPEC, which will feature the APEC schedules, photos and releases.

“We wanted it as a handy complement for journalists also and for delegates who will be covering the APEC,” she said.

Valte also announced the official launch of a public service announcement that they produced in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), and Radio TV Malacañang (RTVM).

The government media relations entities involved are under the Strategic Messaging Committee of the APEC 2015 National Organizing Council, she said, adding that the public service announcement aims to relay to the public the government preparations for the APEC hosting.

The announcement, hosted by National Youth Commissioner Dingdong Dantes, explains the APEC as an organization and how it benefits member economies. The announcement also includes traffic rerouting and other information.

“We will be putting this material online and we hope that netizens will share it and will get to know more about the APEC and why we are doing this and what we want to achieve from our hosting,” Valte said as she thanked Dantes for volunteering his time and talent in making the announcement. PND (as)

During a media briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that they also expect Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend, even though he has not yet made a confirmation.

“To my knowledge, not yet, but there are no indications that he will not come,” Valte said when asked if President Xi will attend the summit.

“Thus far, their home office has been working with us, kasi may mga advance visits ‘yan, may mga advance teams. They are all represented.”

Valte also said the government is not overreacting in its preparations for the APEC and is just working to make the summit orderly and safe for the leaders.

“Hindi lang po kasi ang mga 20 na economic leaders ang kailangan nating i-secure, kailangan din po ang mga delegado, and we want them to have a good experience here in the Philippines,” she said, noting that the government wants to replicate what other countries had done when they hosted the APEC in the past.

For instance, when China hosted the APEC summit last year, they managed the traffic well, limited flights to the airport in Beijing, and deployed additional personnel, she said, adding that similar preparations were done in Indonesia, the United States, Japan, and Russia.

The government will impose no-fly zones on November 17, 19, and 20. The no-fly zone will however be lifted on November 18 as all leaders are expected to be in the country by that time.

Valte also asked for public patience, especially those who will be affected by the traffic rerouting.

“Humihingi po kami talaga ng pasensya at nang inyong kooperasyon. Lahat naman po tayo gugustuhing maidaos nang maayos ng pamahalaan ang darating na APEC Summit at umaasa po tayo sa inyong kooperasyon,” she said. PND (as)

Assistant professor at the De La Salle University and opinion columnist at Al Jazeera and The Huffington Post, Richard Heydarian, on Wednesday warned the Philippines against “uncritically” jumping into the APEC’s “trading bandwagon”.,

“As for the Philippines, we have to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of each of these initiatives and not uncritically jump into any trading bandwagon,” he added. “We have to make sure we come on top and create inclusive development for our citizens.”

Heydarian said that during the leaders’ meeting on November 18 and 19, the United States and China will go head-to-head on the competing free trade agreements both are pushing for.

The US is pushing for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, which Heydarian described as “a high-standard trade liberalization scheme aimed at a more comprehensive overhaul of member economies, greatly benefiting American multinationals”.

It is the cornerstone of the Obama administration’s economic policy in the Asia Pacific, with the first round of just-concluded negotiations including Singapore, Brunei,
New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Peru, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, Canada and Japan.

It aims to deepen trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, a key destination for US manufactured goods, agricultural products and services suppliers.

On the other hand, China will be urging the regional bloc to agree with the Free Trade Agreements and Regional Trading Agreements (FTAAP), China’s landmark initiative during the APEC summit in Beijing last year.

Heydarian said the FTAAP will be less stringent, “but will heavily benefit Chinese exporters”.

He added that Beijing will also likely invite APEC member economies to look into its major infrastructure spending initiatives under the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Maritime Silk Road projects.

The Philippines said it is still reviewing the possibility of joining the AIIB, an initiative by China that is focused on supporting infrastructure development in the Asia-Pacific region.

The creation of the AIIB, however, happened amid rising tensions between Beijing and Manila over competing claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The AELM will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center on November 18 and 19.

Although there is no complete list yet of leaders who would be attending the gathering, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have already confirmed their participation.

There is no word yet on the attendance of Chinese President Xi Jinping, although National Organizing Council (NOC) Director General Ambassador Marciano Paynor, Jr. said there was no indication any of the 20 leaders will not be attending the November meeting. (APEC Communications Group)

The Plan of Action consists of three main priorities initiated by the host economy, each with a set of actions building on existing APEC commitments.

The three priorities are: (1) Resilient Oceans, Coastal Resources and Ecosystems, and Sustainable Aquaculture, (2) Fish Loss Reduction, and (3) Agribusiness and Blue Economy. The Plan of Action has undergone several revisions, taking into consideration the valuable comments and suggestions of member economies.

The first set of initiatives pertains to concrete feasible actions to sustainably manage coastal and marine resources. This, according to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje in his closing statement at the policy dialogue held in Iloilo, will lead to resilient oceans and coastal resources and ecosystems, coastal communities, and sustainable aquaculture.

The next set of actions comprises important strategies geared towards the significant reduction of fish loss during harvest, storage, processing, and distribution marketing.

On the other hand, the third set of actions will lead to the development of an agri-business plan in blue economy in the APEC region that will open opportunities for inclusive economic growth.

The Plan of Action brings forth the integration of the work of the Oceans Fisheries Working Group and Policy Partnership on Food Security of the APEC. Moreover, this Plan of Action has strengthened the role of important partners in the private sector in shaping blue economy initiatives in the APEC region.

According to Secretary Paje, the Plan of Action emphasizes science-based conservation, restoration, enhancement, protection, and management of ocean, coastal and marine resources and sustainable aquaculture in the APEC region.

“It is expected that through these actions, we can optimize support for fishery productivity and better ecological services that the various marine ecosystems provide,” he said.

Paje further noted that the improvement of the conditions of ocean resources, together with the efficient strategies for reducing food losses in each stage of the supply chain, translate to more and better quality food for the people in the region.

Likewise, he said, the Plan of Action promotes business market development and open integration for small-scale fishers and fish farmers into global food chains in the context of the blue economy. (APEC Communications Group)

During their meeting in Iloilo City in September, APEC SME ministers noted that MSMEs have contributed to the growth trajectory of APEC economies, which, combined with the gross domestic product (GDP), almost doubled from US$16 trillion in 1989 to US$31 trillion in 2013.

To increase the sector’s contribution to the region’s economy, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo said the Philippines’ initiatives for MSMEs will increase the sector’s participation in global value chains (GVCs).

Here are some facts on the APEC initiatives for MSMEs:

1. For the first time, the APEC is focusing on micro enterprises.

The Philippines has pitched the idea of giving emphasis on micro enterprises, rather than just SMEs, to promote inclusive growth in the region by extending to them the benefits of free and open trade.

2. The APEC will hold the first SME Summit this year.

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), the voice of the business community in the Asia Pacific, will host the APEC SME Summit on November 17, aiming to enable the sector to innovate new products and services to meet the demands of the global market in the 21st century.

3. The rise of start-ups is changing the playing field.

Innovative business start-ups are seen as the next big thing in the APEC, as they have the potential to further drive economic growth and promote inclusive growth through fresh ideas and by tapping the digital economy.

4. The APEC recognizes the role of women in the economy.

The APEC Women and the Economy Fora, held in Manila last September, came up with a strategic plan to increase women’s economic participation in the region by achieving deliverables in five key areas: access to capital; access to markets; capacity building, health, and leadership; technology and innovation; and voice and agency.

5. MSMEs still face key issues in regional and global trade.

The APEC SME Finance Forum, held on the margins of the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, has identified four issues that hamper MSMEs’ participation in regional and global trade: access to capital; access to know-how or skills; access to markets; and infrastructure, both physical infrastructure and intangible infrastructure such as governance, contract law, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

6. Trade facilitation is key to engaging MSMEs in global trade.

During the SME Ministerial Meeting, it was noted that the government should implement trade facilitation to help MSMEs meet global standards, instead of exempting them from complying with the processes.

7. The Boracay Action Agenda targets to address key issues of MSMEs and help them access the global market.

The Philippine-led Boracay Action Agenda, crafted during the Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Boracay in May, has put in place concrete and detailed action plans for APEC member economies to increase the participation of MSMEs in GVCs. Under the Agenda, the APEC will address trade and investment barriers that hamper MSMEs, particularly by reducing and eliminating tariffs and non-tariff measures in the region.

8. The Iloilo Initiative supports the Boracay Action Agenda.

The APEC SME ministers have adopted the Iloilo Initiative, which supports the implementation of the Boracay agenda. It has two priority initiatives: providing a bigger voice and better opportunities for MSMEs; and advancing policy frameworks and international trade through the APEC MSME Marketplace, an interactive online portal that will allow APEC members to promote cooperation and linkages to develop MSMEs.

9. MSMEs need to be more resilient.

With the challenges posed by climate change to businesses, MSMEs need to be more resilient and should have the capacity to cope with natural disasters. The SME ministers have noted the role of public finance, such as credit guarantee systems designed for MSMEs’ operational continuity, rather than the rescue of financial institutions.

10. The Philippines uses the APEC as a platform to pitch MSME initiatives to the ASEAN and WTO.

Secretary Domingo has stressed the crucial role of pushing MSME initiatives in the APEC due to the forum’s big influence in the global economy. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where the Philippines is also a member, also targets to strengthen MSMEs and expand their contribution to the region’s economy. In the World Trade Organization (WTO), the country will push for MSME initiatives during this year’s WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya in December. PNA (kc)

With the theme “Whole-of-Economy Approach: A Paradigm Shift to Adopt the ‘New Normal'”, the 9th Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum highlighted that disasters are not just a concern of an economy or small groups of economies, a sector or an organization.

Instead, disaster risk reduction requires a robust and sustainable inter-economy cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the primary goal of the 9th Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum is to endorse to the APEC economic leaders the proposed APEC framework on disaster risk reduction as a new paradigm to mainstream disaster reduction in the APEC agenda.

It aims to promote APEC-wide collaboration on disaster risk reduction, as well as decide on a common direction so that economies would be more responsive to the serious threats posed by stronger and more frequent disasters.

Here are 10 facts on disaster resiliency and mitigation after APEC member economies met in the Philippines to discuss disasters:

1. World Bank data shows APEC region had incurred more than US$100 billion in annual losses in the past 10 years because of disasters.

2. APEC could address effects of disasters through cooperative research, technology transfer, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.

3. In the past decade, disasters impacted on vulnerable communities with 1.5 billion people affected in different ways.

4. Also during the same period, there were 700,000 casualties and 23 million left homeless by disasters, putting total economic loss at more than $1.3 trillion.

5. Growing global inequality, increasing hazard exposure, rapid urbanization, and the overconsumption of energy and natural capital are major factors driving disaster risk to dangerous and unpredictable levels, according to United Nations 2015 report.

6. The Philippines pushed for business continuity planning to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) become more resilient against disasters and prevent economic losses.

7. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which represent 90 percent of the region’s overall business, are more vulnerable to natural hazards than big multinational companies. In the Philippines, SMEs provide a living for 65 percent of the labor force.

8. Typhoon Yolanda brought overall damages to the Philippine economy of around 15 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013.

9. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Disaster Management Officials’ Forum (SDMOF) has adapted in the Iloilo meeting the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Framework introduced by the Philippines. The framework will be endorse to APEC economic leaders this month.

10. The framework, which was proposed by the Philippines prior to the 9th SDMOF, was based on disaster risk reduction programs and mitigation plans already being implemented by the country though the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. PND (as)

As host, the member economy is responsible for chairing the annual Economic Leaders’ Meeting, selected Ministerial Meetings, Senior Officials’ Meetings, and the APEC Business Advisory Council.

The annual leadership cycle ends with the convening of the ministerial meeting and the Leaders’ meeting (APEC Summit).

The APEC Chair has a critical role in influencing the direction of the development of the APEC in terms of the content of cooperation and nature of process.

It should be noted that crafting the theme for this year’s APEC forum was not easy, as the Philippines, as host, had to contend with the need to come up with something that should possess inclusive, forward-looking qualities, such as balance, continuity, relevance, resonance, and sustainability. It shall also underline and advance both domestic and regional goals through building on past and ongoing initiatives while addressing present challenges and needs that relate to common concerns and interests. Moreover, the APEC 2015 theme should be realized by achieving medium- to long-term results.

Stakeholders and other significant actors adopted and utilized a set of guiding principles in crafting the theme for APEC 2015.

Activities were conducted to gather information, facilitate the exchange of opinions, engender support, and formulate policy initiatives and recommendations.

Specifically, consultations were held involving government agencies, the private sector, and APEC Senior Officials to assess the level of comfort on the priorities and gather support for these priorities. Furthermore, research studies were done in collaboration with the academe and think tanks to substantiate identified priorities and produce policy recommendations. Workshops were also organized with host agencies, including the private sector, to define the elements of various high-level meetings in 2015.

Under the Philippines’ leadership, the overall subject of APEC 2015 is the promotion and advancement of inclusive growth in the Asia-Pacific region, hence the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World”. Accordingly, inclusive growth can be defined, described, and analyzed in three stages – domestic/national, regional, and macro levels.

At the domestic/national level, the inclusive growth strategy of the Philippines is based on creating employment opportunities and jobs, involving and integrating the majority of the population in the economic and social mainstream, and alleviating poverty through good governance and domestic reform.

At the regional level, the inclusive growth strategy of the APEC region is focused on expanding access to opportunities and enabling people to realize their full potential, which will result in more productive employment opportunities, dynamic economic growth, and greater well-being.

At the macro level, the inclusive growth trajectory of the APEC region is centered on bridging the gap between developing and developed APEC economies for the purpose of maximizing the benefits of a freer and more open trade and investment regime for each and every member economy.

And as this year’s APEC Meetings draw to a close, it is but relevant to once again emphasize the priorities of the Philippines as this year’s host.

As host economy, the Philippines hopes to mainstream and pursue its priorities into the agenda and economic policy thrusts of the member economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Specifically, the priorities are Investing in Human Capital Development; Fostering Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) Participation in Regional and Global Markets; Building Sustainable and Resilient Communities; and Enhancing the Regional Economic Integration Agenda.

Throughout the year, APEC officials met in various locations in the country to discuss these priorities with the aim of coming up with recommendations for APEC Leaders to consider when they meet this month in the capital city.

Before the year is over, it is expected that concrete course of actions that will affect future regional growth, shall have been determined. (APEC Communications Group)