AsianLII [Home] [Databases] [WorldLII] [Search] [Feedback]

APEC Agreements and Declarations

You are here:  AsianLII >> Databases >> APEC Agreements and Declarations >> APEC ACTION PLANS - OSAKA ACTION AGENDA 2002 UPDATE

[Database Search] [Name Search] [Noteup] [Help]


APEC ACTION PLANS - OSAKA ACTION AGENDA 2002 UPDATE

THE OSAKA ACTION AGENDA Implementation of the Bogor Declaration


PART ONE: LIBERALIZATION AND FACILITATION1


SECTION A: GENERAL PRINCIPLES


The following General Principles will be applied to the entire APEC liberalization and facilitation process under the Action Agenda to achieve the long-term goal of free and open trade and investment no later than the year 2010 in the case of industrialized economies and the year 2020

in the case of developing economies.


1. COMPREHENSIVENESS

The APEC liberalization and facilitation process will be comprehensive, addressing all impediments to achieving the long-term goal of free and open trade and investment.


2. WTO-CONSISTENCY

The liberalization and facilitation measures undertaken in the context of the APEC Action

Agenda will be WTO-consistent.


3. COMPARABILITY

APEC economies will endeavor to ensure the overall comparability of their trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, taking into account the general level of liberalization and facilitation already achieved by each APEC economy.


4. NON-DISCRIMINATION

APEC economies will apply or endeavor to apply the principle of non-discrimination between and among them in the process of liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.


The outcome of trade and investment liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region will be the actual reduction of barriers not only among APEC economies but also between APEC economies and non-APEC economies.


5. TRANSPARENCY

Each APEC economy will ensure transparency of its respective laws, regulations and administrative procedures which affect the flow of goods, services and capital among APEC economies in order to create and maintain an open and predictable trade and investment environment in the Asia-Pacific region.


  1. STANDSTILL

Each APEC economy will endeavor to refrain from using measures which would have the effect of increasing levels of protection, thereby ensuring a steady and progressive trade and investment liberalization and facilitation process.


7. SIMULTANEOUS START, CONTINUOUS PROCESS AND DIFFERENTIATED TIMETABLES

APEC economies will begin simultaneously and without delay the process of liberalization, facilitation and cooperation with each member economy contributing continuously and significantly to ac hieve the long-term goal of free and open trade and investment.


1 Liberalization and facilitation are treated together in this part due to their inseparable nature in achieving our goal of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific. The economic and technical cooperation dealt with here is that which directly supports liberalization and facilitation.


1



8. FLEXIBILITY

Considering the different levels of economic development among the APEC economies and the diverse circumstances in each economy, flexibility will be available in dealing with issues arising from such circumstances in the liberalization and facilitation process.


9. COOPERATION

Economic and technical cooperation contributing to liberalization and facilitation will be actively pursued.


10. RELEVANCE, PROGRESSIVENESS AND EFFECTIVENESS

APEC needs to deliver real benefits to economies and people, demonstrate leadership in confronting emerging issues, which impact on sustainable economic growth and development and bring about measurable progress and change.


  1. B: FRAMEWORK FOR LIBERALIZATION AND FACILITATION

The APEC process of liberalization and facilitation toward achieving the goals set out in the Bogor

Declaration will comprise:

  1. actions by individual APEC economies;
  2. actions by APEC fora; and
  3. APEC actions related to multilateral fora,

acknowledging that APEC economies that are ready to initiate and implement cooperative arrangements may proceed to do so while those that are not yet ready to participate may join at a later date. This process will be conducted in accordance with the General Principles, addressing the areas listed in Section C.


ACTION PROCESS Preparation

Action Plans were introduced immediately after the Osaka Economic Leaders ’ Meeting. Overall implementation of Action Plans began from January 1997. The Action Plans elaborate steps toward achieving the objectives set out in Section C, including both concerted unilateral actions to be taken in line with issue-specific guidelines and collective actions. They will contain specific and concrete details, with time frames, for the near to medium-term, while outlining the basic direction toward 2010 in the case of industrialized economies and 2020 in the case of developing economies.


Consultation

APEC economies commenced informal consultations on the development of Action Plans immediately after the Osaka Economic Leaders' Meeting. They agreed that the consultation process will be an on-going collective effort of a confidence-building nature in order to facilitate exchange of information on progress in the preparation of Action Plans, ensuring transparency and contributing toward attaining the comparability of respective Action Plans. This process will contribute to the consequent development of significant and substantial Action Plans.


Submission

Each APEC economy will submit its Action Plan to the Annual Ministerial Meeting for assessment.


Review

Reviews will be conducted to assess progress in implementing Action Plans in accordance with principles, objectives and guidelines of the Action Agenda. Each relevant APEC forum will conduct a review in its respective area and submit a report thereon to the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM). The SOM will then review the overall progress of APEC economies' actions and submit a report to the annual Ministerial Meeting for review. The outcome of these reviews


2


will be fed back into the continuing consultation process to contribute to further development

of Action Plans and will be reflected in the activities of APEC fora.


Revision

As Action Plans are of a rolling nature, revision of these will be conducted through a progressive and dynamic mechanism established by the consultation process and reviews, with the results thereof being reflected in the continuing voluntary improvement of Action Plans. Action Plans will also be revised as appropriate in accordance with the expansion and improvement of guidelines and collective actions.


Parallel activities

APEC fora will make proposals for the expansion and improvement of guidelines and collective actions in their respective areas in accordance with developments in the APEC liberalization and facilitation process, taking into account and, where appropriate, utilizing developments in other international fora, particularly the World Trade Organization (WTO). The inclusion of additional areas to those initially defined in Section C may be considered. Proposals on the above will be submitted to the Ministerial Meeting.


APEC fora, including the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI), the Economic Committee

(EC) and Working Groups, will begin the work outlined in Section C immediately, cooperating with each other to enhance the efficiency of APEC activities. The establishment of additional sub-groups may be considered where necessary. In the above process, duplication of work among APEC fora should be avoided.


Each APEC forum will submit an annual progress report to the SOM. The SOM will review this progress and submit a report to the annual Ministerial Meeting for review. Work by other relevant APEC Ministerial Meetings should be duly recognized.


MULTILATERAL ACTIONS

APEC economies will take the lead in strengthening the open multilateral trading system and enhancing global liberalization momentum by participating actively and positively in multilateral negotiations and exploring the possibility of taking joint initiatives under the WTO. APEC economies will take fully into account the outcome of such multilateral activities.


OVERALL REVIEW

The Action Agenda may be revised and improved as necessary based on the overall progress

of liberalization, facilitation and cooperation in APEC, taking into account developments in other international fora, particularly the WTO.


SECTION C: ACTIONS IN SPECIFIC AREAS


APEC economies will take the following actions in specific areas in order to achieve the objectives set out therein in accordance with the General Principles. In the course of the liberalization and facilitation process, economic and technical cooperation will be actively pursued through various means including Partners for Progress (PFP).


1. TARIFFS2

OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will achieve free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific region by:

  1. progressive reduction of tariffs until the Bogor goals are fully achieved; and
  2. ensuring the transparency of APEC economies’ respective tariff regimes.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:


2 ”Tariffs” here refers to import/export tariffs as well as tariff quotas.


3


  1. take into account, in the process of achieving the above objectives, intra-APEC trade trends, economic interests, sectors or products related to industries in which this process may have positive impact on trade and on economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and developments in the new economy;
  2. ensure that the achievement of the above objective is not undermined by the application of unjustifiable measures; and
  3. consider extending, on a voluntary basis, to all APEC economies the benefits of tariff reductions and eliminations derived from sub-regional arrangements.

COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:

  1. participate and ensure the expeditious supply and updates of the WTO Integrated

Database and any other APEC databases;

  1. arrange for seminars and/or workshops on industrial tariffs negotiations in consultation with international organisations, where appropriate, including WTO Secretariat on WTO Integrated Tariff Database;
  2. study lessons from modalities for tariff reduction and elimination in regional arrangements; and
  3. encourage the accession of all economies to the WTO Information Technology

Agreement, including the adoption of ITA provisions by non-members of the WTO.


2. NON-TARIFF MEASURES3

OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will achieve free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific region by:

  1. progressively reducing NTMs to the maximum extent possible to minimize possible distortion to trade;
  2. in respect to WTO members:
  3. ensuring the transparency of APEC economies’ respective non-tariff measures

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. take into account, in the process of progres sive reduction of non-tariff measures, intra-APEC trade trends, economic interests, sectors or products related to industries in which this process may have positive impact on trade and on economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region and developments in the new economy;
  2. ensure that the progressive reduction of non-tariff measures is not undermined by the application of unjustifiable measures;
  3. consider extending, on a voluntary basis, to all APEC economies the benefits of reductions and eliminations of non-tariff measures derived from sub-regional arrangements; and
  4. ensure that measures to promote the new economy and strengthening the functioning of markets are consistent with the objectives above.

3 These non-tariff measures include but are not restricted to quantitative import/export restrictions/prohibitions, import/export levies, minimum import prices, discretionary import/export licensing, voluntary export restraints and export subsidies.


4


COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:

  1. pursue incorporation of information on non-tariff measures into a future version of the APEC tariff database and compile a list of measures recognized as non-tariff impediments and a list of products affected by these impediments;
  2. identify industries in which the progressive reduction of non-tariff measures may have positive impact on trade and on economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region or for which there is regional industry support for early liberalization;
  3. progressively reduce export subsidies with a view to abolishing them;
  4. abolish unjustifiable export prohibitions and restrictions and endeavor to refrain from taking any such new measures;
  5. pursue a series of seminars/policy discussions on non-tariff measures (NTMs); and
  6. undertake research to develop best practices to enhance transparency and progressively reduce NTMs

3. SERVICES OBJECTIVE

APEC economies, in accordance with the APEC Policy Framework for Work on

Services, will achieve free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region by:

  1. progressively reducing restrictions on market access for trade in services;
  2. progressively providing for inter-alia most favored nation (MFN) treatment and national treatment for trade in services;
  3. providing, in regulated sectors, for the fair and transparent development, adoption and application of regulations and regulatory procedures for trade in services; and
  4. recognising the role that ecommerce plays in the supply and consumption of services.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. contribute positively and actively to the WTO negotiations on trade in services;
  2. expand commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) on market access and national treatment and eliminate MFN exemptions where appropriate;
  3. undertake further actions, where appropriate, to implement the APEC Menu of Options for Voluntary Liberalization, Facilitation and Promotion of Economic and Technical Cooperation in Services Trade and Investment;
  4. make efforts to provide for the participation of concerned parties in regulations and regulatory processes, the fair and transparent application of regulations, and the prompt consideration of applications; and
  5. support APEC capacity building efforts to supply services by, inter-alia, strengthening infrastructure, promoting the use of advanced technologies and developing human resources.

COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will take the following Collective Actions with regard to services in the telecommunications, transportation, energy and tourism sectors 4, and continue to seek Collective Actions in other sectors.


4 The following Collective Actions have been extracted from the annexed Action Programs of Working Groups in which substanti al progress has already been made in services, in order to illustrate liberalization and facilitation related activities to be undertaken in these sectors. Activities in these sectors are also dealt with in Part Two.


5


TELECOMMUNICATIONS

In accordance with the Cancun Declaration, APEC economies will:

  1. work to bridge the digital divide at the domestic, regional and global levels, and to cooperate and collaborate with the business/private sector in this effort;
  2. foster discussion between business/private sector and governments on appropriate means to assess and reward the value of products and services exchanged in the provision of converged Internet services among APEC economies, consistent with the APEC Principles on International Charging Arrangements for Internet Services;
  3. foster the development of effective policies that support competitive markets in the domestic and international telecommunications and information industries;
  4. accelerate the pace of implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on

Conformity Assessment for Telecommunications Equipment (MRA);

  1. work to ensure that policy and regulatory environments better foster the uptake of

e-commerce;

  1. implement within voluntary time frames the APEC Interconnection Principles and consult on the need for further discussions on interconnection; and
  2. give attention to user requirements for open standards and systems to support interoperability

In addition, APEC economies are encouraged to conform, where appropriate, to:

  1. The WTO Telecommunications Regulatory Principles Reference Paper;
  2. The Information Technology Agreement (ITA); and
  3. The Guidelines for Trade in International Value-Added Network Services (IVANS).

TRANSPORTATION

APEC economies will:

  1. respond to the Leaders ‘Auckland Challenge’ of 1999, by implementing the eight steps for more competitive air services on a voluntary basis and by identifying further steps to liberalize air services in accordance with the Bogor Goals, and provide annual progress reports to Leaders through SOM (Note: some components

of this project may fall under Part II Ecotech, subject to further developments);

  1. develop by 2005 an efficient, safe and competitive operating environment for maritime transport, including ports, in the region through improved transparency of maritime and port policies (Note: some components of this project may fall under Part II Ecotech, subject to further developments);
  2. complete the Road Transport Harmonization Project and encourage the development of mutual recognition arrangements for certification of automotive product and harmonization of economies’ vehicle regulations through cooperation within United Nations Economic Commission for Europe; and

d. seek to eliminate the requirement for paper documents (both regulatory and institutional) for the key messages relevant to international transport and trade as soon as practicable by 2005.


ENERGY

APEC Economies, by developing and building on the 14 non-binding policy principles endorsed by APEC Energy Ministers at their Sydney meeting in 1996 which are consistent with the vision, objectives and strategic themes of the recently endorsed Future Directions Strategic Plan that will guide their work over the next five years:

  1. will facilitate trade and investment in the energy sector by:

(i) responding to the outcomes of a current study on "Strengthening the Operational Aspects of APEC Energy Micro -Economic Reform" that will, inter-alia, inform on barriers to investment in the energy sector and how to remove the barriers.

(ii) analysing the broad economic impacts of micro-economic reform policies to deregulate energy markets.

(iii) responding as appropriate to the identification of the barriers (policy, technical, regulatory and legal) to the interconnection of power grids in APEC member economies.


6


(iv) actively pursuing the Implementation Strategy and considering the use of Implementation Facilitation Assistance Teams (IFAT) to assist in further reform of the energy markets.

(v) strengthening policy dialogue among member economies on important issues affecting energy markets.

(vi) supporting the APEC 21st Century Renewable Energy Development Initiative which seeks to advance the use of renewable energy for sustainable economic development and growth in member economies.

(vii) encouraging in the longer term a greater strategic input from business through the Energy Working Group Business Network (EBN).

  1. will seek to reduce barriers to trade created by differing energy performance test methods and energy performance requirements by supporting the establishment of an APEC Energy Efficiency Test Procedures Coordinator.
  2. will strengthen energy security in the region by developing and implementing an energy security initiative with the aim of improving the functioning of energy markets; energy efficiency and conservation; diversification of energy resources; renewable energy development and deployment; and enhance short term preparedness such as oil stocks and surge production of oil; and explore the potential for alternative transport fuels.

TOURISM

APEC economies will:

a. Remove impediments to tourism business and investment by:

(i) promoting and facilitating the mobility of skills, training and labor;

(ii) promoting and facilitating productive investment in tourism and associated sectors;

(iii) removing regulatory impediments to tourism business and investment;

and

(iv) encouraging liberalization of services trade related to tourism under

General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

b. Increase mobility of visitors and demand for tourism goods and services in the

APEC region by:

(i) facilitating seamless travel for visitors;

(ii) enhancing visitor experiences;

(iii) promoting inter- and intra-regional marketing opportunities and cooperation;

(iv) facilitating and promoting e-commerce for tourism business;

(v) enhancing safety and security of visitors; and

(vi) fostering a non-discriminatory approach to the provision of visitor facilities and services.

c. Sustainably manage tourism outcomes and impacts by:

(i) demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of natural environment and seek to protect the environment

(ii) foster ecologically sustainable development opportunities across the tourism sector, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises, employment and providing for open and sustainable tourism markets

(iii) protect the social integrity of host communities with particular attention to the implications of gender in the management and development of tourism

(iv) recognize, respect and preserve local and indigenous cultures together with our natural and national cultural heritage

(v) enhance capability building in the management and development of tourism.

d. Enhance recognition and understanding of tourism as a vehicle for economic and social development by:

(i) Harmonizing methodologies for key tourism statistical collections, consistent with activities of other international tourism organizations

(ii) facilitating the exchange of information on tourism between economies


7


(iii) promoting comprehensive analysis of the role of tourism in member economies in promoting sustainable growth

(iv) expanding our collective knowledge base on tourism issues in order to identify emerging issues and assist in the implementation of the Seoul Declaration on an APEC Tourism Charter.


4. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will achieve free and open investment in the Asia-Pacific region by:

  1. liberalizing their respective investment regimes and the overall APEC investment environment by, inter-alia, progressively providing for MFN treatment and national treatment and ensuring transparency; and
  2. facilitating investment activities through, inter-alia, technical assistance and cooperation, including exchange of information on investment opportunities.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. progressively reduce or eliminate exceptions and restrictions to achieve the above objective, using as an initial framework the WTO Agreement, the APEC Non-Binding Investment Principles, any other international agreements relevant to that economy, and any commonly agreed guidelines developed in APEC including the Menu of Options for Investment Liberalization and Business Facilitation;

b. seek to expand APEC’s network of bilateral and regional investment agreements and contribute to multilateral work on investment;

  1. facilitate investment flows within the Asia-Pacific region through promoting awareness

of investment opportunities, enhancing market access conducive to investment, undertaking capacity building and technical cooperation activities, and implementing measures such as those in the Menu of Options; and

d. examine ways to incorporate new investment forms and activities for the sound and sustainable economic growth and development of the Asia-Pacific region including investment forms and activities that support the new economy.


COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:

  1. Transparency

Short-term

  1. Increase the transparency of APEC investment regimes by:

(i) Updating the APEC Guidebook on Investment Regimes;

(ii) Establishing software networks on investment regulation and investment opportunities;

(iii) Improving the state of statistical reporting and data collection; and

(iv) Increasing understanding among member economies on investment policy-making issues.


  1. Policy Dialogue

Short-term

  1. Promote dialogue with the APEC business community on ways to improve the

APEC investment environment.

  1. Continue a dialogue with appropriate international organizations dealing with global and regional investment issues.
  1. Study and Evaluation

Short-term

  1. Define and implement follow-on training to the WTO implementation seminars;
  2. Undertake an evaluation of the role of investment liberalization in economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.

8


  1. Study possible common elements between existing subregional arrangements relevant to investment.

Medium-term

  1. Refine APEC’s understanding of free and open investment.

Long-term

  1. Assess the merits of developing an APEC-wide discipline on investment in the light of APEC’s own progress through the medium-term, as well as developments in other international fora.
  2. Study the advantages and disadvantages of creating investment rules – bilateral, regional, or multilateral – with a view to fostering a more favorable investment environment in the Asia- Pacific region.
  1. Facilitation

Short-term and continuing

  1. Undertake practical facilitation initiatives by:

(i) Progressively working towards reducing impediments to investments including those investments related to e-commerce;

(ii) Undertaking the business facilitation measures to strengthen APEC

economies; and

(iii) Initiating investment promotion and facilitation activities to enhance investment flow within APEC economies.


  1. Economic and Technical Cooperation

Short-term

  1. Identify ongoing technical cooperation needs in the Asia-Pacific region and organize training programs which will assist APEC economies in fulfilling APEC investment objectives.
  1. Capacity Building Initiatives
    1. Undertake new activities that contribute to capacity building.
  2. Menu of Options
    1. Ongoing improvement of the Menu of Options.

5. STANDARDS5 AND CONFORMANCE OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will, in accordance with the Declaration on APEC Standards and Conformance Framework and with the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) and the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) attached to the WTO Agreement:

  1. align their domestic standards with international standards;
  2. endeavour to actively participate in international standardization activities;
  3. promote good regulatory practice for the preparation, adoption and application of technical regulations in the APEC region;
  4. achieve recognition of conformity assessment including mutual recognition arrangements in regulated and voluntary sectors;
  5. promote cooperation for technical infrastructure development to facilitate broad participation in mutual recognition arrangements in both regulated and voluntary sectors; and
  6. ensure the transparency of the standards and conformity assessment of APEC

economies.


5 “Standards” include mandatory as well as voluntary standards. The term “standards” is used in this document to refer generally to matters covered in the TBT and SPS Agreements.


9


GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. continue alignment of domestic standards with international standards in the priority areas which the SCSC will identify for alignment in the short to medium term in pursuing this goal;
  2. participate actively in the international standardization activities of international standardizing bodies and encourage relevant bodies in their economy to participate in the international standardizing bodies accordance with the rules and procedures of these organisations;
  3. consider to pursue trade facilitation in information technology products;
  4. participate6 in recognition arrangements7 of conformity assessment including mutual recognition arrangements in regulated sectors through: (i) the development of bilateral, multi-sectoral recognition arrangements, which might, at a later stage, provide the basis for plurilateral arrangements; and (ii) the development of plurilateral recognition arrangements in particular sectors;
  5. encourage relevant bodies in their economy to participate in work programs of the five Specialist Regional Bodies 8 and to participate in recognition arrangements7 of conformity assessment including mutual recognition arrangements in the voluntary sectors;
  6. improve and maintain the level of their technical infrastructure to facilitate broad participation in recognition arrangements in both the regulated and voluntary sectors, with the SCSC supporting the development of technical infrastructure through economic and technical cooperation, where needed, to improve calibration and testing facilities and the training of personnel, in pursuing this goal;
  7. continuously strive to increase transparency of their standards and conformance requirements by means of facilitating the dissemination of such information through publications and electronic homepage and publicizing the availability of these means; and

h. consider participation in:

(i) the Treaty of the Metre (La Convention Du Metre); and

(ii) the Treaty of OIML (La Convention Instituant Une Organisation Internationale

De Metrologie Legale)

in accordance with the rules and procedures of these treaties


COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will take Collective Actions with regard to standards and conformance

in the following four areas:


ALIGNMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND ACTVE PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDIZATION

APEC economies will:

  1. continue identifying additional priority areas for alignment with international standards;
  2. continue to report on the progress in their alignment plans every year;
  3. conduct a comprehensive review of their alignment work in 2005; and

6 It is recognised that not all member economies have the pre-requisite technical infrastructure to enable them to fully participate in mutual recognition arrangements. Cooperation among APEC economies to strengthen member economies’ technical infrastructure is therefore necessary (see Guideline (e)).

7 The term “mutual recognition arrangements” does not necessarily m ean an instrument or instruments which creates or create legally-binding international obligations.

8 Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) Asia Pacific Legal Metrology Forum (APLMF)

Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP) Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC)


10


  1. continue to promote active participation in international standardization activities.

GOOD REGULATORY PRACTICE

APEC economies will:

continue to update the consolidation of materials in the Good Regulatory Practice Database as well as to investigate means of enhancing regulatory practice in the APEC region through a program of case studies and seminars with a particular focus on performance-based regulations and sector-specific good practices.


RECOGNITION OF CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT

APEC economies will, in cooperation with relevant Specialist Regional Bodies, where appropriate:

  1. review the implementation and use of mutual recognition arrangements;
  2. continue to consider mechanisms to facilitate the recognition of conformity assessment results;
  3. review and improve the effectiveness of the APEC Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Conformity Assessment of Foods and Food Products, the Arrangement for the Exchange of Information on Toy Safety, the APEC Arrangement for the Exchange of Information on Food Recalls, and the APEC Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Conformity Assessment of Electrical and Electronic Equipment by, among others, looking into the possibility to adopt an information technology management system;
  4. implement the work program on trade facilitation in information technology products, by 2005 in the case of industrialized economies and by 2008 in the case of developing economies; and
  5. encourage establishment of and participation in a network of mutual recognition arrangements in the voluntary sector by 2005.
  1. ON TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

APEC economies will:

  1. undertake projects for the implementation of the Mid-Term Technical

Infrastructure Development Program; and

  1. conduct a comprehensive review on implementation of the above program after

2005.


TRANSPARENCY

APEC economies will:

  1. update the APEC Contact Points for Standards and Conformance Information, which have been uploaded to the APEC Homepage;
  2. develop and keep current the database on conformity assessment operators and their activities/service offered and establish an APEC Cooperation Center for Conformity Assessment; and
  3. Promote the transparency of regulatory systems and standards by maintaining appropriate and accessible information date basis, including Directory of Food Trade Contacts in the Directory of Food Trade Contacts.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

APEC economies will:

  1. pursue closer cooperation with the Specialist Regional Bodies in line with a

Statement of Commitment to Mutually Agreed Objectives;

  1. monitor the developments within the WTO Committees on the Technical Barriers

to Trade and Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures, as well as undertake projects for the implementation of the APEC Strategic Plan on WTO -Related Capacity Building;

  1. pursue better coordination with other APEC fora; and
  2. implement the reform of the SCSC through the rationalization of its agenda, priority setting exercise and better coordination with other groups.

11



6. CUSTOMS PROCEDURES OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will facilitate trade in the Asia-Pacific region by:

  1. simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures;
  2. encouraging the use of technologies and ecommerce as productivity tools in keeping with developments of the new economy; and
  3. enhancing cross-border co-operation in the movement of goods and services to counter terrorism.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will take actions toward achieving the above objectives:


  1. along the lines of the Strategic Direction of the Action Program of the Sub- Committee on Customs Procedures by

- taking fully into consideration the Guiding Principles (FACTS: Facilitation, Accountability, Consistency, Transparency, Simplification) of the above Action Program;

- recognizing APEC Principles on Trade Facilitation; and

- making use of information and communication technologies (ICT) as tools to improve productivity; and

  1. along the lines of the Leader’s Statement on Counter Terrorism.

COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will take Collective Actions with regard to customs procedures in the following areas:


HARMONISATION OF TARIFF NOMENCLATURE

APEC economies will harmonize tariff nomenclature by adopting or abiding by the principles of the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS Convention) 2002 Version by 2002.


PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION

APEC economies will continue making available to the public information on administrative guidelines, procedures and rulings in addition to customs laws and regulations through the media, publication, website, etc.


SIMPLIFICATION AND HARMONIZATION ON THE BASIS OF THE REVISED KYOTO CONVENTION

APEC economies will simplify and harmonize customs procedures by adopting or abiding by the principles of the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures which was revised by World Customs Organization (WCO) in 1999 (Revised Kyoto Convention).


COMPUTERIZATION THROUGH UN/EDIFACT AND PAPERLESS TRADING

APEC economies will enhance computerization of customs procedures by adopting and supporting the UN/EDIFACT standard and endeavor to reduce or eliminate the requirement for paper documents needed for customs to realize paperless trading.


ALIGNMENT WITH WTO AGREEMENTS

APEC economies will:

  1. harmonize customs valuation systems by adopting or abiding by the principles of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (WTO Customs Valuation Agreement), while encouraging further acceleration, if possible, through technical assistance; and
  2. protect intellectual property rights by adopting or abiding by the principles of the

Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS


12


Agreement), with regard to border control while encouraging further acceleration,

if possible, through technical assistance.


APPEAL PROVISION

APEC economies will introduce and improve clear appeal provisions.


ADVANCE RULING SYSTEMS

APEC economies will introduce and improve advance tariff classification ruling systems.


TEMPORARY IMPORTATION

APEC economies will provide facilities for temporary importation, by taking such action as acceding, where appropriate, to the Customs Convention on the A.T.A. Carnet for the Temporary Admission of Goods (the A.T.A. Convention).


RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH

APEC economies will introduce a risk management approach to allow customs administrations to facilitate legitimate trade and travel while maintaining high-level border control by 2002.


INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

APEC economies will apply information and communication technology including Internet for customs clearance, and where possible, provide one stop shop service for cargo clearance procedures.


COMMON DATA ELEMENTS

APEC economies will explore the feasibility of harmonizing among APEC economies common data elements based on international standards under the auspices of the WCO for customs processing of cargo to facilitate international trade.


EXPRESS CONSIGNMENTS

APEC economies will implement principles contained in the WCO Immediate Release Guidelines, the international standard procedures for clearance of express goods, working in partnership with express industry associations.


INTEGRITY

APEC economies will implement programs to raise the level of integrity of customs systems.


CUSTOMS-BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

APEC economies will enable the cooperation and communication between Customs and the business sector through the establishment of permanent and regular liaison/consultation channels and the development of Customs-Business partnership by signing Memoranda of understanding or other instruments of cooperative arrangement with relevant players/parties in the business sector.


COMMON FIELD SURVEYS

APEC economies will work towards conducting common field surveys on the time required for cargo clearance, recognizing the necessity of a common yardstick.


IMPLEMENTATION, TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

APEC economies will develop implementation plans and a framework for coordinated technical assistance and human resources development in support of the above Collective Actions, with particular emphasis placed on implementation of customs


13


procedure-related agreements such as the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement, the

TRIPS Agreement and the Rules of Origin Agreement (ROO).


PROMOTION OF DIALOGUE WITH THE BUSINESS/PRIVATE SECTOR

APEC economies will promote dialogue with the business/private sector (importers, exporters, customs brokers, forwarders, etc.) within each economy to assist in improving customs-related trade practices.


COUNTER-TERRORISM

APEC economies will develop a proposal to promote counter-terrorism cooperation in support of the APEC Leaders’ Statement through various means such as the promotion of Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements and the use of existing customs networks.


7. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will:

  1. in conformance with the principles of the TRIPS Agreement:

- ensure adequate and effective protection, including legislation, administration and enforcement of intellectual property rights,

- foster harmonization of intellectual property rights systems in the APEC region,

- strengthen public awareness ac tivities and

- promote dialogue on emerging intellectual property policy issues, with a view to further improve intellectual property rights protection and use of the intellectual property rights systems for the social and economic benefit of members.


  1. address the challenges for intellectual property rights arising from the rapid growth and developments of the New Economy by:

- establishing legal frameworks to promote creative endeavor and encourage on- line activity;

- ensuring a balance between the different rights and interests of copyright owners, users and distributors;

- establishing an appropriate balance among all stakeholders, including content providers and ISPs in terms of the liabilities for infringing intellectual property on- line; and

- providing incentives for innovation without sacrificing the community’s interest in reasonable access to information.


GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. ensure that intellectual property rights are granted through expeditious, simple, and cost-effective procedures;
  2. ensure that adequate and effective civil and administrative procedures and remedies are available against infringement of intellectual property rights; and
  3. provide and expand bilateral technical cooperation in relation to areas such as patent search and examination, computerization and human resources development in order

to ensure adequate intellectual property right protection in compliance with the TRIPS Agreement.


COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will take the following collective actions:

  1. Deepening the Dialogue on Intellectual Property Policy;
  2. Support for Easy and Prompt Acquisition of Rights:

(i) Participation in International IP -related Systems

(ii) Establishing Internationally Harmonized IPR Systems

(iii) Cooperation on Searches and Examinations;

  1. Electronic Processing of IPR-related Procedures:

14


(i) Electronic Filing Systems

(ii) Dissemination of Information by Electronic Means;

  1. Appropriate Protection of IPR in New Fields:

(i) Protection for Biotechnology and Computer-related Inventions

(ii) Protection for Geographical Indications

(iii) Electronic commerce;

  1. Cooperation for Improvements to the Operation of IP System;
  2. Establishing Effective Systems for IPR Enforcement:

(i) Establishment of Enforcement Guidelines

(ii) Exchange of Information Concerning IPR Infringement

(iii) Cooperation with other fora/authorities

  1. Promoting IP Asset Management in APEC Economies;
  2. Raising Public Awareness;
  3. Facilitation of Technology Transfer through Ensuring IP Protection.

8. COMPETITION POLICY OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will enhance the competitive environment to increase consumer welfare

in the Asia-Pacific region, taking into account the benefits and challenges of globalization, developments in the New Economy and the need to bridge the digital divide through better access to ICT, by:

  1. introducing or maintaining effective, adequate and transparent competition policy and/or laws and associated enforcement policies;

b. promoting cooperation among APEC economies, thereby maximizing inter-alia, the efficient operation of markets, competition among producers and traders and consumer benefits.

  1. improving the ability of competition authorities, through enhanced capacity building and technical assistance, to better understand the impact of globalization and the New Economy.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. review its respective competition policy and/or laws and the enforcement thereof taking into account the “APEC Principles to Enhance Competition and Regulatory Reform”;

b. enforce competition policies and/or laws, (including those prohibiting

anticompetitive practices that prevent access to ICT and other new technologies), to ensure protection of the competitive process and promotion of consumer welfare, innovation, economic efficiency and open markets;

c. disclose any pro-competitive efforts undertaken (e.g. enactment of competition laws, whether comprehensive or sectoral);

  1. implement as appropriate technical assistance in regard to policy development, legislative drafting, and the constitution, powers and functions of appropriate enforcement agencies;
  2. establish appropriate cooperation arrangements with other APEC economies, including those intended to address the digital divide; and
  3. undertake additional steps as appropriat e to support the development of the New

Economy and to ensure the efficient functioning of markets.


COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:

  1. gather information and promote dialogue on and study;

15


(i) the objectives, necessity, role and operation of each APEC economy's competition policy and/or laws and administrative procedures, thereby establishing a database on competition policy;

(ii) competition policy issues that impact on trade and investment flows in the

Asia-Pacific region;

(iii) exemptions and exceptions from the coverage of each APEC economy’s competition policy and/or laws in an effort to ensure that each is no broader than necessary to achieve a legitimate and explicitly identified objective;

(iv) areas for technical assistance and the modalities thereof, including exchange and training programs for officials in charge of competition policy, taking into account the availability of resources; and

(v) the inter-relationship between competition policy and/or laws and other policies related to trade and investment;

  1. deepen competition policy dialogue between APEC economies and relevant international organizations;
  2. continue to develop understanding in the APEC business community of competition policy and/or laws and administrative procedures;
  3. continue to develop an understanding of competition policies and/or laws within their respective governments and within relevant domestic constituencies, thereby fostering a culture of competition;
  4. encourage cooperation among the competition authorities of APEC economies with regard to information exchange, notification and consultation;
  5. contribute to the use of trade and competition laws, policies and measures that promote free and open trade, investment and competition;
  6. encourage all APEC economies to implement the “APEC Principles to Enhance

Competition and Regulatory Reform; and

  1. undertake capacity building programs to assist economies in implementing the

“APEC Principles to Enhance Competition and Regulatory Reform”.


9. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will:

  1. develop a common understanding on government procurement policies and systems, as well as on each APEC economy’s government procurement practices; and
  2. achieve liberalization of government procurement markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region in accordance with the principles and objectives of the Bogor Declaration, contributing in the process to the evolution of work on government procurement in other multilateral fora; and
  3. increase the use of electronic means to conduct government procurement and in so doing seek to promote the uptake of ecommerce more broadly.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. enhance the transparency of its government procurement regimes and its government procurement information;
  2. establish, where possible, a government procurement information database and provide the information through a common entry point; and
  3. review on a voluntary basis and take appropriate steps to improve the consistency of its government procurement regime with the APEC Non-binding Principles on Government Procurement (transparency, value for money, open and effective competition, fair dealing, accountability and due process , and non-discrimination);

and

  1. provide for and promote government procurement through electronic means wherever possible.

COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:


16


  1. utilize questionnaire surveys to exchange information on existing government procurement regimes and on publication of government procurement information in APEC economies;
  2. maintain contact point s to facilitate on-going exchange of the above information;
  3. hold workshops, seminars and training courses on government procurement procedures, laws, regulations, regional and plurilateral agreements, and the impact of technological development on government procurement;
  4. encourage establishment of an APEC government procurement information database, including information on procurement opportunities and the provision of a common entry point (such as World Wide Web (WWW) Home Page on the Internet) for participation by members on a voluntary basis; and
  5. continue to report voluntarily on the consistency of their procurement regimes with the APEC Non-binding Principles on Government Procurement and on the improvements to their regimes.

10. DEREGULATION/REGULATORY REVIEW AND REFORM OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will facilitate free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific

Region by, inter alia:

  1. enhancing the transparency of regulatory regimes (including through the use of new technologies);
  2. eliminating domes tic regulations that may distort or restrict trade, investment or competition and are not necessary to achieve a legitimate objective; and
  3. speeding up reforms which encourage efficient and well functioning product, labour and capital markets and support ive of institutional frameworks.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. explore economy wide processes for the transparent and accountable identification and review of domestic regulations that may distort or restrict trade, investment or competition;
  2. consider the adoption of regulatory reform to reduce those distortions and their resulting costs, whilst maintaining the achievement of legitimate objectives; and
  3. promote the consideration of competition policy in regulatory reform.

COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies, taking into account work done in other areas of APEC activity will:

  1. publish annual reports detailing actions taken by APEC economies to deregulate their domestic regulatory regimes; and
  2. develop further actions taking into account the above reports, including;

(i) policy dialogue on APEC economies’ experiences in regard to best practices in deregulation, including the use of individual case studies to assist in the design and implementation of deregulatory measures, and consideration of further options for a work program which may include:

 identification of common priority areas and sectors for deregulation;

 provision of technical assistance in designing and implementing deregulation measures; and

 examination of the possibility of establishing APEC guidelines on domestic

deregulation; and

(ii) regular dialogue with the business community, including a possible symposium.


11. IMPLEMENTATION OF WTO OBLIGATIONS (inc RULES OF ORIGIN) OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will ensure full and effective implementation of Uruguay Round outcomes within the agreed time frame in a manner fully consistent with the letter and the spirit of the WTO Agreement.


17



On Rules of Origin, APEC economies will:

  1. ensure full compliance with internationally harmonized rules of origin to be adopted in relevant international fora; and
  2. ensure that their respective rules of origin are prepared and applied in an impartial, transparent and neutral manner.

GUIDELINES

On WTO Agreements:

  1. Each APEC economy which is a WTO member will fully and faithfully implement its respective Uruguay Round commitments.
  2. Each APEC economy which is in the process of acceding to the WTO Agreement may participate in APEC Uruguay Round implementation actions through voluntary steps to liberalize its respective trade and investment regimes consistent with the WTO Agreement.
  3. Each APEC economy will, on a voluntary basis, accelerate the implementation of

Uruguay Round outcomes and deepen and broaden these.


On Rules of Origin:

Each APEC economy will:

  1. align its respective rules of origin with internationally harmonized rules of origin to be adopted as a result of the WTO/WCO process; and
  2. ensure predictable and consistent application of rules of origin.

COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:

  1. utilize on an on-going basis Uruguay Round implementation seminars and other appropriate means to:

(i) improve APEC economies' understanding of provisions in the WTO Agreement and obligations thereunder;

(ii) identify operational problems encountered in implementation of the WTO Agreement and areas in which APEC economies may require technical assistance; and

(iii) explore cooperative efforts to provide such technical assistance in implementation;

  1. consider implementation of suggestions for follow-on work from Uruguay Round implementation seminars; and
  2. undertake technical assistance based on discussion at the above seminars, including cooperative training projects targeted at prevalent implementation problems

to be undertaken in conjunction with the WTO Secretariat and other relevant international institutions.


On Rules of Origin

APEC economies will:

  1. gather information on APEC economies’ respective rules of origin, both non- preferential and preferential, and operation thereof without duplicating WTO work in this area, exchange views and develop a compendium of rules of origin for the use of the business/private sector;
  2. facilitate, complement and accelerate, in the short term, WTO/WCO work on harmonization of non-preferential rules of origin; and
  3. study in due course the implication of rules of origin on the free flow of trade and investment, with a view to identifying, in the longer term, both positive and negative aspects and effects of rules of origin related practices.

12. DISPUTE MEDIATION OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will:


18


  1. encourage members to address disput es cooperatively at an early stage with a view

to resolving their differences in a manner which will help avoid confrontation and escalation, without prejudice to rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement and other international agreements and without duplicating or detracting from WTO dispute settlement procedures;

  1. facilitate and encourage the use of procedures for timely and effective resolution of disputes between private entities and governments and disputes between private parties in the Asia-Pacific region; and
  2. ensure increased transparency of government laws, regulations and administrative procedures with a view to reducing and avoiding disputes regarding trade and investment matters in order to promote a secure and predictable business environment.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy will:

  1. provide for the mutual and effective enforcement of arbitration agreements and the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards;
  2. provide adequate measures to make all laws, regulations, administrative guidelines and policies pertaining to trade and investment publicly available in a prompt, transparent and readily accessible manner; and
  3. promote domestic transparency by developing and/or maintaining appropriate and independent review or appeal procedures to expedite review and, where warranted, correction of administrative actions regarding trade and investment.

COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:

  1. with respect to resolution of disputes between APEC economies;

(i) promote dialogue and increased understanding, including exchange of views on any matter that may lead to a dispute, and cooperatively examine on a voluntary basis disputes that arise, utilizing policy dialogue such as the “Trade Policy Dialogue” of the CTI;

(ii) give further consideration as to how the above Trade Policy Dialogue or similar functions of other fora may be used by APEC economies for the exchange of information, enhanced dialogue and mediation; and

(iii) examine the possible future evolution of procedures for the resolution of disputes as the APEC liberalization and facilitation process develops;

  1. with respect to resolution of disputes between private parties, and between private parties and APEC economies;

(i) provide CTI with a listing of arbitration, mediation, and conciliation services available to private entities of other APEC economies, including a description of any such service which might provide a useful model for private-to-government dispute resolution in the Asia-Pacific region, and make such information widely available to the business/private sector in the Asia-Pacific region;

(ii) provide CTI with comments regarding experiences with the above services;

(iii) accede where appropriate to international agreements for the settlement of disputes between governments and private entities such as the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States; and

(iv) accede where appropriate to the Convention on the Recognition and

Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention);

  1. with respect to transparency;

promote transparency on an APEC-wide basis, through, for example, publication of a guide book on arbitration, mediation, and conciliation services available in each APEC economy; and

  1. with respect to the above collective actions, continue to report to CTI on progress, with recommendations.

19


13. MOBILITY OF BUSINESS PEOPLE OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will:

  1. enhance the mobility of business people who are engaged in the conduct of trade and investment activities in the Asia-Pacific region; and
  2. enhance the use of information and communications technology (ICT) to facilitate the movement of people across borders, taking into account the Leaders’ Statement on Counter Terrorism.

GUIDELINES

Each APEC economy work toward achieving the above objectives:

  1. abiding by directions and statements from APEC Leaders and Ministers;
  2. recognising APEC Principles on Trade Facilitation; and
  3. consistent with the Informal Experts Group on Business Mobility’s (IEGBM) capacity building standards and annually agreed goals.

COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:


Exchange Information

Exchange information on regulatory regimes in regard to the mobility of business people

in the region, including through regularly updating the information in the online APEC Business Travel Handbook


Short-Term Business Entry

Streamline short -term entry requirements for business people. APEC economies will strive on a best endeavours basis and according to their own immigration procedures to implement one or more of the following options:

  1. visa free or visa waiver arrangements;
  2. participating in the APEC Business Travel Card scheme;

iii) multiple short -term entry and stay visas which are valid for at least 3 years.


Business Temporary Residency

Implement streamlined temporary residence processing arrangements for the intra-company transfer of senior managers and executives, and specialists as defined by individual economies.


Capacity Building (Technical Cooperation and Training)

Develop and implement the mutually agreed standards and benchmarks essential to capacity building and engage in the capacity building initiatives necessary to provide streamlined visa application and immigration entry, stay and departure processing arrangements.


Dialogue with Business

Continue to maintain a dialogue with the APEC Business Mobility Group and the APEC business community (including with APEC fora) on mobility issues important to the APEC region and the APEC business community.


14. INFORMATION GATHERING AND ANALYSIS (GROUNDWORK) OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will secure a solid platform for the expansion and improvement of Actions in Specific Areas and APEC economies' respective Action Plans by undertaking inter-alia cross-sectoral work.


COLLECTIVE ACTIONS


20


APEC economies will:

  1. conduct surveys as necessary of trade and investment impediments;
  2. review and analyze the impact of trade liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region;
  3. study and monitor the impact of sub-regional and bilateral trade arrangements such as NAFTA, Association of South-East Asian Nations Free Trade Area (AFTA) and ANZCERTA;
  4. develop databases with regard to merchandise trade, trade in services and direct investment, and update these regularly; and
  5. adopt international standards for trade in services and international investment data such as those developed by the IMF.

15. STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTIVE

APEC economies will enhance well-functioning economy within the global marketplace in the Asia-Pacific region by:

a. ensuring a fair, transparent and consistent application of the rule of law in the commercial and corporate domain

  1. strengthening economic legal infrastructure in order to minimize the risk of future economic crises and building business and investor confidence

GUIDELINES

In accordance with the provisions of the Cooperation Framework for Strengthening

Economic Legal Infrastructure, each APEC economy will:

  1. consider strengthening legislation and regulations or institutions and administrative procedures with a view to promoting the fair, transparent and consistent application of the rule of law
  2. update relevant professional capabilities and ensure an effective and ethical legal profession
  3. feed back information on individual economies' efforts to APEC fora as a reference;

and

d. establish and maintain a dialogue on strengthening economic legal infrastructure with the business community


COLLECTIVE ACTIONS

APEC economies will:

  1. hold seminars to discuss individual economies ’ legal designs, if necessary
  2. provide assistance if requested, when designing legal institution and developing human resources for the implementation of legal system
  3. work in closer cooperation with international institutions, Finance Ministers Process and APEC fora, in particular CPDG (Competition Policy and Deregulation Group)

21


PART TWO: ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION


SECTION A: ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS


APEC economies will pursue economic and technical co-operation in order to attain sustainable growth and equitable development in the Asia-Pacific region, while reducing economic disparities among APEC economies and improving economic and social well being. Such efforts will also facilitate the growth of trade and investment in the region9.


APEC economies will conduct economic and technical cooperation on the basis of the principles of mutual respect and equality, mutual benefit and assistance, constructive and genuine partnership and consensus building. APEC economies shall make voluntary contributions commensurate with their capabilities and the benefits of the co-operation shall be shared broadly.


In pursuing economic and technical cooperation, APEC economies will develop an environment favorable to the effective operation of market mechanisms and integrate into the co-operation process the business/private sector as well as involve wherever possible other pertinent institutions.


Recognizing their shared responsibility for sustainable development, APEC economies will integrate environmental considerations in all relevant APEC activities.


While respecting the autonomy of each APEC economy over its policies, APEC economies recognize Common Policy Concepts, Joint Activities and Policy Dialogue as the three essential elements to be taken into account in each specific area of APEC economic and technical co- operation.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

APEC economies will develop Common Policy Concepts including goals, basic principles and priorities in each specific area of APEC economic and technical cooperation. APEC economies recognize that, given the diversity of the Asia-Pacific region, Common Policy Concepts will serve to:


  1. guide Joint Activities; and
  2. inform the development of each APEC economy’s policies/activities.
  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES

In the light of Common Policy concepts, APEC economies will engage in Joint Activities such as compilation and sharing of data and information, surveys, training, seminars, research and technical demonstrations. Various means including Partners for Progres s (PFP) will be utilized to strengthen these activities. APEC economies will prepare economic outlooks for the Asia-Pacific region that will provide a useful reference for APEC activities. Joint Activities will serve to:


  1. improve APEC economies’ ability to analyze current and future economic trends, and develop and implement policy measures;
  2. utilize regional resources more effectively; and c. increase the effectiveness of policy measures.
  1. POLICY DIALOGUE

APEC economies will hold Policy Dialogue on economic issues.


  1. Dialogue on Common Policy Concepts and Joint Activities will serve to:

 develop and review Common Policy Concepts;


9 Economic and technical cooperation which directly supports trade and investment liberalization and facilitation is mainly dealt with in Part One.


22


 evaluate the effect of Joint Activities;

 develop further Joint Activities; and

 identify the best way to implement cooperation in the light of differences in policies among APEC economies.


  1. Dialogue on each APEC economy’s policies/activities will allow APEC economies to:

 share expertise and experience; and

 consult and exchange views on their policies/activities in the light of Common Policy

Concepts.


SECTION B: ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN SPECIFIC AREAS


Bearing in mind the three essential elements, APEC economies will pursue economic and technical cooperation. The following is an illustrative reference of Common Policy Concepts and Joint Activities/Dialogue in specific areas of cooperation. The full text of Action Programs in specific areas

is annexed and forms an integral part of this Action Agenda.


  1. AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

Given differences in needs and levels of development among APEC economies, strengthening Agricultural Technical Cooperation (ATC) is expected to lead to balanced agricultural development, resource utilization and conservation as well as improved food variety and quality. APEC economies will seek to enhance the capability of agriculture and its related industries to contribute to economic growth and social well-being. APEC economies will undertake ATC on the basis of principles including:


  1. paying due consideration to the diversity of agricultural sectors;
  2. recognizing the rapid changes occurring in the agricultural sector; and c. adding value to activities undertaken by international agencies.

JOINT ACTIVITIES


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. promote activities on conservation and utilization of plant and animal genetic resources by, for instance, developing individual genetic resources databases by 2003;
  2. promote research, development and extension of agricultural biotechnology by, for instance, following up on activities carried out with respect to communications by 2004;
  3. strengthen regional cooperation in production, processing, marketing, distribution and consumption of agricultural products by, for instance, developing cooperative work plans for development of supermarket/cold-chains and related distribution systems by 2003;
  4. strengthen regional cooperation in plant and animal quarantine and pest management by, for instance, conducting a survey of the availability of specific technical expertise by 2003;
  5. strengthen regional cooperation in the development of agricultural finance systems by, for instance, updating information on agricultural finance systems by 2003;
  6. promote agricultural technology transfer and training by, for instance, identifying key information on agricultural technology transfer and training by 2002; and
  7. strengthen regional cooperation in sustainable agriculture and related environmental issues by, for instance, establishing the directory of experts, institutions and centers of research

for sustainable agriculture by 2002.


  1. ENERGY

COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS


23


Regional energy consumption is rapidly increasing in tandem with the economic expansion of the Asia-Pacific region, turning energy into a potential bottleneck to sustainable economic growth. APEC economies will address the simultaneous achievement of the 3Es (economic growth, energy security and environmental protection) by sharing policy principles and enhancing closer cooperation toward the development of APEC as a sustainable energy community. APEC economies will set priority on the following:


  1. fostering a common understanding on regional energy issues;
  2. facilitating investment in the energy sector where appropriate;
  3. reducing the environmental impact of the energy sector; and
  4. accepting equivalence in accreditation and increasing harmonization of energy standards.

APEC economies will develop a range of shared energy goals, building on and expanding the fourteen non-binding policy principles for rational energy consumption.


JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. deliver the Implementation Strategy agreed by Energy Ministers in San Diego, USA, in May

2000. The strategy features a program of implementation facilitation visits to member economies as requested on a voluntary basis and a system of self-reporting on progress on implementation of agreed energy initiatives to Leaders;

  1. progress cooperation with the Energy Working Group Business Network (EBN), Energy Regulators’ Forum (ERF) and Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) including the consolidation of the APEC energy database and regular dissemination of energy data;
  2. improve environmental performance through expanded programs in the fields of clean fossil energy, new and renewable energy technology and end-use energy efficiency and conservation measures;
  3. develop and implement an energy security initiative which aims to improve the functioning of energy markets through energy efficiency and conservation; diversification of energy resources; renewable energy development and deployment; and exploration of potential for alternative transport fuels, to alleviate pressure on the oil market, including the role that stocks could play as an option to respond to oil market disruptions;
  4. undertake mutual examination of energy policies in line with common policy concepts including strengthening policy dialogue among members on important issues such as energy security, energy infrastructure, energy efficiency, and energy and the environment;
  5. develop, implement and report on voluntary pledge and review energy efficiency programs for improving industrial competitiveness, reducing the environmental impacts of energy production, delivery and use, and producing energy savings;
  6. develop and implement cooperation initiatives that provide benefits to all citizens, give a human face to development, and provide new options for the clean development and use of energy;
  7. sustain the momentum for energy market reform, and contribute to energy security, including to mitigate damages to energy infrastructure after natural disasters;
  8. implement the 21st century renewable energy development initiative to advance cooperation

in the development and deployment of new and renewable energy technology, especially in developing economies;

  1. implement the general policy framework for cooperation on energy standards, including support for inclusion of energy efficiency with the mutual recognition agreements being developed in the APEC region, and establish an APEC energy efficiency test procedures coordinator to facilitate implementation of a product-by product approach to greater alignment of energy performance test procedures; and
  2. implement the Framework for the Integration of Women in APEC.

24


  1. FISHERIES

COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS


The Fisheries sector, like other renewable resource sectors, has a limited production base. APEC economies will seek to maximize the economic benefits to be gained from fisheries resources by promoting their long-term optimum sustainable utilization. Accordingly, APEC economies will set priority on the following:


  1. promoting the conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources, the sustainable development of aquaculture as well as habitat preservation;
  2. solving common fisheries resource management problems and aquaculture disease control;
  3. enhancing the food safety and quality of fish and fisheries products; and
  4. promoting sector specific work relating to trade investment liberalization and facilitation.

JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter alia:


  1. facilitate implementation of global sustainable fisheries initiatives in the APEC region;
    1. assist APEC economies in the development of modern cooperative fishery management approaches, patterned on the successful workshop hosted by Japan in 1999;
  2. reduce destructive fishing practices, particularly those that affect coral reefs;
  3. carry on the FWG’s important work in sustainable aquaculture; and e. support APEC Leaders’ trade, SME, IT and gender initiatives.
  1. HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

The people of the Asia-Pacific region are its most important asset. The human resources needs of the region are both expanding and diversifying in tandem with its growth and dynamism. In responding to the human resources challenges in the region, APEC has defined three overarching themes underlying work in the HRD Working Group:


Uniting these themes are eight priority action areas:


  1. providing a quality basic education;
  2. analyzing the regional labor market to allow sound forecasting of trends and needs in HRD;
    1. increasing the supply and enhancing the quality of managers, entrepreneurs, scientists and educators/trainers;
    2. reducing skills deficiencies and unemploy ment by designing training programs for applications at all stages of a person’s working life;
    3. improving the quality of curricula, teaching methods and instructional materials for managers and other workers;
  3. increasing opportunities for people seeking to gain skills; and
    1. preparing organizations and individuals to remain productive in the face of rapid economic and technological changes;

as stated in the Declaration on a Human Resources Development Framework , and further engage in:

viii) promoting HRD toward the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.


JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


25



APEC economies will undertake Human Resources Development Program 21, consisting of 21 sub- programs. In this program, APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. implement the APEC Business Volunteer Program, a mechanism for facilitating the voluntary dispatch of business experts among business/private entities in the region in order

to exchange and transfer managerial and technical skills;

  1. implement the APEC Leaders’ Education Initiative, a set of measures to enhance regional cooperation in higher education and to study key regional economic issues, including the establishment of an APEC Study Center in each APEC economy and the promotion of collaborative research on APEC-related issues;
  2. conduct studies on teacher development practices, on science education programs, and on uses of technology in education, in order to promote the provision of high quality instruction

in basic education;

  1. conduct training of executives, managers, engineers, officials and other workers to increase the supply and enhance the quality of these people;
  2. accelerate cooperation relating to trade and investment liberalization and facilitation by means such as holding training courses on standards and conformance and intellectual property rights in order to ensure the availability of the experts required to maintain effective systems in these fields; and
  3. facilitate the mobility of qualified persons in the region through bilateral agreements between interested APEC economies for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications,

and, in addition to this program, will:

  1. conduct regular dialogue on the HRD policies and HRD situation of each APEC economy, establishing performance indicators such as adult literacy levels and levels of enrollment in elementary and secondary education as a basis for conferral; and
  2. support the development of useful labor market information and policy, improved workplace conditions and practices, and strong social safet y nets, in support of human capacity building and social integration.

In pursuing this program, due attention will be given to optimise integration of gender and youth into

APEC activities. In responding to the Beijing Initiative which calls for involvement of the stakeholders

in human capacity building efforts, APEC economies will explore mutually beneficial cooperation between the government, business/private and education/training sectors.


  1. INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

Improved levels of industrial science and technology will enhance economic growth, quality of life, environmental protection and development of a well-balanced industrial structure. APEC economies will improve the IS&T capabilities of each economy by recognizing eight non-binding principles for effective collaboration and by setting priority on the following:


  1. improving researcher exchange and human resources development;
  2. improving the flows of technological information and technology;
  3. facilitat ing joint research projects;
  4. improving the transparency of regulatory frameworks; and e. contributing to sustainable development.

JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. strengthen APEC cooperation in key technologies through collaborative R&D initiatives, technology road mapping, technology foresight, improvements in the transparency of

26


regulatory frameworks, and other joint activities. Key technologies would include advanced materials, nanotechnologies, industrial biotechnology, environmental technologies, information and communication technologies;

  1. connect research and innovation in APEC economies through strengthening collaboration between government, industry (especially SMEs) and the research community; technology diffusion initiatives especially the transition of emerging technologies to new industries; and enhancing information flows on science and technology among member economies, including through ASTWeb;
  2. build human capacity for S&T for the New Economy through S&T awareness in secondary schools; training/skills development initiatives in critical areas of industrial S&T, environment, and health; researcher exchanges/cooperation; fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industry; and adoption of distance learning technologies;
  3. help ensure the prevention and control of infectious diseases through implementation of the APEC Strategy for the prevention and control of infectious diseases of particular significance to the region through the sharing of priority health information, joint educational and training activities, sharing across strategic human and technical resources, and other relevant cooperative actions;
  4. meet environmental challenges through science, technology and innovation within a framework of sustainable industrial development. Initiatives will include implementation of the recommendations of the APEC Cleaner Production Task Force, promoting environmental sustainability, natural disaster mitigation, and addressing climate change, resource productivity and conservation of biodiversity (except for conservation of plant and animal genetic resources in agriculture mentioned in the section 1). Appropriate waste management approaches, particularly for SMEs, will continue to be a priority with an emphasis on improving water quality and urban air quality; and
  5. undertake dialogue on Industrial Science and Technology policies across APEC economies related to S&T policy, technology development and diffusion, networking and collaboration, gender and the scientific underpinnings of regulations and standards.
  1. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

The pace of economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region depends on the improvement of economic infrastructure. APEC economies will seek to accelerate infrastructure improvement together with the support and enhancements it provides to wider economic, environmental and community development initiatives, facilitating investment in infrastructure and encouraging business/private sector involvement.


JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. conduct analytical work on issues relating to the overall infrastructure environment;
  2. explore ways to enhance the effectiveness of infrastructure improvement, such as:

 compiling best practices for use as benchmarks in the examination of the respective roles of the public and business/private sectors,

 developing guidelines on infrastructure policy, regulation and investment to ensure a

more transparent and coherent environment for the business/private sector; and strengthening of infrastructure services’ support to regional and urban sustainable economic development, APEC Food System enhancements, environmental management;


  1. catalyze and support economic infrastructure and related cooperation networks and links

to other fora such as to:

 promote the exchange and application of best practices,

 focus capacity development and training in infrastructure and development planning,


27


 encourage the integration and local application of other APEC supported initiatives, such as under the APEC Food System, sectoral infrastructure measures, and the addressing of gender and sustainable development concerns; and

  1. conduct public-private sector dialogue to support the identification, prioritizing, and implementation of these and economic infrastructure cooperation initiatives.
  1. MARINE RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

The marine environment contributes substantially to the economic viability of APEC economies through trade in fisheries and aquaculture products, other marine commodities and tourism. These are dependent on active conservation of marine resources and the marine environment, degradation

of which has significant socioeconomic costs. While enhancing trade and investment in marine products, APEC economies will aim to protect the marine environment and to ensure continuing socioeconomic benefit. APEC economies will set priority on the following:


  1. addressing integrated ocean and coastal zone management;
    1. enhancing coordination in the implementation of UNCED Agenda 21 (Oceans Chapter and other related chapters) recommendations in the APEC Region;
  2. reviewing and resolving marine algal toxin issues.

JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. make recommendations on related policies, standards, certification, regulatory requirements, conformance assurance and other areas;
b.
improve the flow of information on marine resource management and conservation;

c.
provide guidance on management of critical areas of their coastal zones, and also
on

development of effective communication, information exchange and planning mechanisms;

  1. assess structural barriers to the conservation and sustainable development of marine resources, develop strategies for action and develop an action framework; and
  2. conduct policy dialogue and establish public-private partnership to share scientific and technical information and resource, to identify and assess environmental and gender issues, and to develop practical, action-oriented approaches to maintaining the quality of the marine environment.
  1. SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

SMEs are a critical engine for growth and innovation in the Asia-Pacific region, able to respond flexibly to technological advancement and the diversification of consumer needs. APEC economies will cooperate to maintain and develop SME dynamism by improving the economic environment so that SMEs may fully exploit their creativity and mobility, by helping SMEs address priority fields – human resources, information access, technology and technology sharing, financing and market access – and by improving SME policies. APEC economies will base their cooperation on principles such as:


  1. ensuring the availability and transparency of information on their respective SME policies to help improve SME policies in the region;
  2. developing and implementing non-discriminatory market -oriented SME policies to maximize SMEs’ responses to market mechanisms and to provide the most favorable environment for SME economic activities and for further SME development; and

28


  1. recognizing that SME policies should focus not only on individual enterprises, but also on group enterprises and cooperatives.

JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. convene training programs, seminars and workshops, including the APEC SME and New

Business Support Workshops;

  1. undertake industrial studies, such as ‘Industrial Outlook Study’, consisting of comprehensive/sectoral studies on intra-regional industrial interdependence taking into consideration gender considerations, to enable SME policy makers and SMEs to come to a better understanding of the economic environment;
  2. survey each economy’s SME policies and reporting by economies, on a voluntary basis, their respective policies/best practices on SME development and their differential impacts on women and men, in order to enhance mutual understanding of APEC economies’ policy practices, using the agreed criteria and ideas of best practices;
  3. further develop and implement the program of activities for the APEC Centre for Technology Exchange and Training for SMEs as a resource centre for handling information networking, developing equal training opportunities for women and men and organising SME-targeted activities.
  4. survey the financial markets for SMEs and establish an APEC database to disseminate and exchange information on start -up companies and venture capital, improve the financing environment of SMEs particularly those owned by women and consult the reports of the finance minister process; and
  5. maintain and update the ‘Guide for Small and Medium Enterprises in the APEC Region’ – a

Directory of Economies ’ agencies who are in charge of providing support for SMEs.


  1. TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

As the economic interdependence among APEC economies deepens, telecommunications and information infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region has a critical role to play in strengthening market linkages and enhancing trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. APEC economies will therefore seek to develop an Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure (APII) on the basis of the following ten principles:


  1. encouraging APEC economies in the construction of domestic telecommunications and information infrastructure based on their own reality;
  2. promoting a competition driven environment;
  3. encouraging business/private sector investment and participation;
  4. creating a flexible policy and regulatory framework;
  5. intensifying cooperation among APEC economies;
  6. narrowing the infrastructure gap between the developed and the industrializing economies;
    1. ensuring open and non-discriminatory access to public telecommunications networks for all information providers and users in accordance with domestic laws and regulations;
  7. ensuring universal provision of and access to public telecommunications services;
  8. promoting diversity of content, including cultural and linguistic diversity; and
  9. ensuring the protection of intellectual property rights, privacy and data security.

JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


29


  1. conform, where appropriate, to the Guidelines on Trade in International Value-Added Network Services (IVANS) and generally conform, where appropriate, to the Guidelines on the regional Harmonization of Equipment Certification Procedures;
  2. continue to work to harmonize administrative procedures governing certification of customer telecommunications equipment;
  3. accelerate the pace of implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on

Conformity Assessment for Telecommunications Equipment (MRA);

  1. share information on the state of the telecommunications regulatory environment and infrastructure development in each APEC economy in order to improve business/private sector access to related policies, regulations and other information;
  2. enhance cooperation and encourage capacity building on information security and network security;
  3. promote electronic commerce through seminars, studies on electronic data interchange application development, and experiments on the interoperability and suitability for electronic commerce of various networks;
  4. increase cooperation in infrastructure ac tivities between APEC and other international institutions and fora;
  5. encourage the testing and dissemination of new technologies to achieve the Asia-Pacific

Information Infrastructure (APII).

  1. promote human resources development by means such as holding training courses on privatization and competition in telecommunications and information industries, and working towards a distance learning pilot project for experts in this area;
  1. work to encourage universal access to internet services, to bridge the digital divide at the domestic, regional and global levels and to cooperate and collaborate with the business/private sector in this effort.
  2. foster discussion between business/private sector and governments on appropriate means

to assess and reward the value of products and services exchanged in the provision of converged Internet services among APEC economies, consistent with the APEC Principles on International Charging Arrangements for Internet Services ;

  1. foster the development of effective policies that support competitive markets in the domestic and international telecommunications and information industries.
  2. work to ensure that policy and regulatory environments better foster the uptake of e- commerce;
  3. implement, within voluntary time frames, the APEC Interconnection Principles and consult on the need for further discussions on interconnection; and
  4. implement the Gender Integration Plan.
  1. TOURISM

COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS


The tourism industry is of growing importance in promoting economic growth and social development

in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC economies will seek to achieve long-term environmental and social sustainability of the tourism industry by setting priority on the following:


  1. removing barriers to tourism movements and investment and liberalizing trade in services associated with tourism;
  2. developing and implementing the concepts of environmental and social sustainability in tourism development;
  3. facilitating and promoting human resources development;
  4. enlarging the role of the business/private sector;
    1. developing cooperation and programs in the fields of information-based services related to trade in tourism; and
  5. sharing information among APEC economies.

JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


30


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. identify impediments to tourism growth and formulate strategies that will improve tourism movements and investment in the region;
  2. increase mobility of visitors and demand for tourism goods in services;
    1. encourage and support the protection and conservation of cultural heritage and natural sites and the use of ‘best practice’ models in implementing the concepts of environmental and social sustainability to tourism development;
    2. enhance recognition and understanding of tourism as a vehicle for economic and social development;
    3. expand human resource development tools and exchange information and experience through the development of a database of core statistical information, including gender disaggregated data, and establish a research network to assist industry and governments to develop more effective marketing and planning regimes;
  3. raise awareness of the economic impact to tourism in the region; and
    1. address the requirement that all APEC economies take all possible measures in order to ensure the safety and security of travellers.
  1. TRADE PROMOTION COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

APEC economies will seek to stimulate intra-regional trade through trade promotion measures such

as holding trade fairs, disseminating information on trade-related issues and potential business opportunities, and providing advice on trade-related procedures.


JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. hold APEC Trade Fairs on a regular basis;
    1. establish a network among trade promotion organizations in order to enhance linkages and cooperation among them;
    2. improve and convene training courses for the furtherance of trade promotion-related skills, and develop a mechanism for the exchange of trade promotion experts;
    3. compile, exchange and disseminate the information among trade promotion organizations and business/private sectors of member economies, on strategies, measures, and activities which support and facilitate trade promotion in member economies, such as internet services, trade financing, assistance for SMEs, performance measurements of promotion activities, etc.;
    4. implement projects to maximize the role of trade promotion organizations in promoting electronic trade among member economies; and
    5. conduct activities to promote trade in food products and gender integration in the international trade field.
  1. TRANSPORTATION COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

The ability of a transportation system to efficiently handle the movement of people and goods is critical in order to maximize economic productivity, facilitate trade and contribute to the mobility of people. APEC economies will therefore seek to develop an efficient, safe and integrated regional transportation system. The development of the transportation sector should promote equitable economic development to help people of all APEC economies share the benefits of economic growth. APEC economies will set priority on the following:


31


  1. facilitating the harmonization, coordination and transparency of transport policies, regulations, procedures and standards;
  2. promoting timely rational investment in the transport infrastructure;
    1. encouraging the efficient use of existing infrastructure through the application of appropriate trade and transport facilitation techniques;
  3. promoting transport system safety and security;
    1. promoting, on the basis of fair and equitable access to markets, a more competitive transportation operating environment and cooperating to address institutional constraints which affect the provision of transportation services; and
    2. facilitating the improvement of productivity, skills and efficiency of labor and management in the transport industry.

JOINT ACTIVITIES / DIALOGUE


APEC economies will, inter-alia:


  1. respond to the Leaders ‘Auckland Challenge’ of 1999, by implementing the eight steps for more competitive air services on a voluntary basis and by identifying further steps to liberalise air services in accordance with the Bogor Goals, and provide annual progress reports to Leaders through SOM;
  2. develop by 2005 guidelines, standards and provisional options associated with an integrated transport system for the improvement or elimination of ‘bottlenecks’ in the region;
  3. improve by 2005 port efficiency and capacities in the region through the exchange of information and expertise among port experts and programs;
  4. develop by 2005 an efficient, safe and competitive operating environment for maritime transport and the ports sector in the region through improved transparency of maritime and port policies;
  5. develop by 2005 a plan to facilitate the implementation of satellite navigation and communications systems in the region;
  6. provide by 2002 a mechanism for increased cooperation and communication between APEC Economies in the transportation security area;
  7. continue work to address aviation and maritime safety deficiencies in the region and propose recommendations for improvement;
  8. identify by 2002 road safety issues and problems in the region and develop comprehensive strategies to address these;
  9. implement the action plan on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) to promote cooperation in

ITS technology and standards ;

  1. consider by 2005 measures to promote transparency in regulations, resolve differences in conformity assessment and facilitate the mobility of transport personnel by encouraging the mutual recognition of professional qualifications;
  2. continue the seafarers training project to meet seafarers’ training needs in the APEC region;
    1. implement the Framework for the Integration of Women in APEC and identify initiatives for the full participation of women in the transportation sector; and
    2. identify by 2005/ 2010 the intermodal skills needed within APEC member economies and suggest methods of developing training programmes.

SECTION C: FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION


APEC fora will make proposals for the expansion and improvement of Common Policy Concepts, Joint Activities and Policy Dialogue in their respective areas where appropriate. The inclusion of additional areas to those initially defined in Section B: Economic and Technical Cooperation in Specific Areas may be considered. Proposals on the above will be submitted to the Ministerial Meeting.


APEC fora, notably Working Groups, will begin the work outlined in Section B: Economic and

Technical Cooperation in Specific Areas immediately; cooperating with each other to enhance the


32


efficiency of APEC activities. In the above process, duplication of work among APEC fora should be avoided.


Each APEC forum will submit an annual progress report to the SOM. The SOM will review this progress and submit a report to the annual Ministerial Meeting for review. Work by relevant APEC Ministerial Meetings should be duly recognized.


This Action Agenda may be revised and improved as necessary based on the overall progress of liberalization, facilitation and cooperation in APEC.


33




THE OSAKA ACTION AGENDA ANNEX


Action Programs in Specific Areas


AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION ENERGY

FISHERIES


HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MARINE RESOURCE CONSERVATION SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TOURISM

TRADE PROMOTION TRANSPORTATION



ACTION PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL TECHNICAL COOPERATION


  1. INTRODUCTION

Agriculture is an important sector for many APEC economies. It has played an important role in the economic progress in this region. Agricultural development has been strongly influenced by technology. Agricultural Technical Cooperation in coordination with agricultural resources leads to improvement on production capability, and food variety and quality. Because the need and level of development in each member economy is different, strengthening Agricultural Technical Cooperation among APEC members will have a significant impact on a balanced agricultural development, resource utilization and conservation in the region. The Agricultural Technical Cooperation initiative provides an opportunity to enhance agriculture’s contribution to the region’s economic growth and social well being, consistent with the vision of the Bogor Declaration.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

The following objective, principles and strategies are shared as policy concepts by APEC member economies.


  1. Goal

To enhance the capacity of agriculture and its related industries to contribute to economic growth and social well-being in the region.


  1. Basic Principles
    1. Accord with APEC goals for economic and technical cooperation.
    2. Mutually beneficial to all members and open to participation by all interested members.
    3. Avoid duplication with, and add value to, other activities undertaken by international agencies and regional forums.
    4. Pay due consideration to the diversity of agricultural sectors in the region.
    5. Recognize the rapid changes occurring in the agricultural sector throughout the region. vi) Coordinate closely with other APEC joint activities.
    6. Any joint activities to be funded from the APEC central fund or from other sources through

APEC.

viii) Arrange meetings in a way which minimizes resource costs to maximize member participation.


  1. Priorities

In order to realize the goal of this action program, Agricultural Technical Cooperation will be implemented, with placing priority on the following areas of activities:


  1. Conservation and utilization of plant and animal genetic resources.
  2. Research, development and extension of agricultural biotechnology.
  3. Production, processing, marketing, distribution and consumption of agricultural products.
  4. Plant and animal quarantine and pest management.
  5. Cooperative development of agricultural finance system. vi) Agricultural technology transfer and training.
  6. Sustainable agriculture and related environmental issues.
  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES
  1. Conservation and Utilization of Plant and Animal Genetic Resources
    1. Develop individual genetic resources databases; identify and fill the gaps among these databases by 2003.

35


  1. Identify APEC-wide needs for genetic resources management based on individual member economy’s genetic resources databases by 2002.
  2. Establish an APEC information network for the exchange of genetic resources -related information by 2004.
  3. Publish an APEC booklet or information package on the relationship between indigenous animals and human with local agricultural implications by 2002.
  1. Research, Development and Extension of Agricultural Biotechnology
    1. Through tools developed (e.g. Communicating About Agricultural Biotechnology in APEC Economies: A Best Practices Guide), and through effective use of the APEC Internet site, follow up and document activities carried out with respect to communications and feed back successes to APEC economies by 2004.
    2. Discuss key technical matters on agricultural biotechnology issues related to risk assessment/management of biotechnology products by 2004, in order to facilitate the development of science-based assessment frameworks in all member economies.
    3. Further carry out information sharing related to agricultural biotechnology on member economies such as regulatory frameworks and on relevant international organizations by

2005.

  1. Develop, identify, and participate in training opportunities or internships/fellowships in the areas of regulation, safety assessments, research and detection methodologies related to agricultural products of biotechnology, and document best practices by 2005.
  1. Production, Proce ssing, Marketing, Distribution and Consumption of Agricultural

Products


  1. Develop cooperative work plans for development of supermarket/cold-chains and related distribution systems by 2003.
  2. Develop cooperative work plans for improvement of post-harvest and food processing technologies by 2003.
  3. Development of the network system on grade standards, requirements and regulations by

2003.

  1. Develop information network system concerning both supply and demand of food by 2003.
  1. Plant and Animal Quarantine and Pest Management
    1. Conduct a survey of the availability amongst member economies of specific technical expertise and information by 2003.
    2. Implement joint surveys of pests and diseases using standardized techniques to better manage pests and diseases which are likely to cross common boundaries by 2004.
    3. Establish an information network system for the exchange of quarantine and pest management information by 2003.
  2. Cooperative Development of Agricultural Finance System
    1. Update information on agricultural finance systems of individual member economies, including information of consultants/experts by 2003.
    2. Implement a series of training courses on agricultural finance by 2002.
  3. Agricultural Technology Transfer and Training
    1. Identify key information on agricultural technology transfer and training useful to member economies by 2002.
    2. Identify key agricultural technology transfer and training activities by 2003.
    3. Develop joint research and training program on agricultural technology transfer and training by 2004.

36


  1. Sustainable Agriculture and Related Environmental Issues
    1. Establish the directory of experts, institutions and centers of research for sustainable agriculture by 2002.
    2. Identify key information on agricultural practices, agro-ecosystem and environmental issues that may affect sustainable agricultural development by 2003.
    3. Identify key information on rural development and socio-economic factors that may affect rural development by 2004.
    4. Establish information network system on sustainable agriculture, related environmental issues and rural development by 2003.

37


ACTION PROGRAM FOR ENERGY


  1. INTRODUCTION

At the request of APEC Leaders, Senior Officials preparing for the Osaka Leaders’ Meeting in 1995 began the task of developing an Action Agenda to implement the Bogor Declaration. Working Groups and other APEC fora were asked to contribute to the Action Agenda by designing mid-term and long- term action programs on economic and technical cooperation (including infrastructure), and, where possible, on trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation. Senior Officials called for short term tangible results which could serve as down payments for the Action Agenda.


In addition to these general requirements, the then Working Group on Regional Energy Cooperation (now EWG) was specifically requested to include in its action program measures to give effect to the 3Es Initiative (economic growth, energy security and environmental protection) of APEC Leaders.


At their meeting in Sydney in 1996, APEC Energy Ministers endorsed 14 non-binding policy principles for rational energy consumption.


Energy Ministers at their fourth meeting (EMM4) held in San Diego, USA, on 12 May 2000, under the theme ‘Turning Vision into Reality’ conveyed their conviction to make the best effort for the simultaneous pursuit of economic growth, energy security and environmental protection, recognising that energy is central to maintaining the region’s economic recovery, building the region’s economic and social future, strengthening the marketplace, and promoting clean and sustainable development. In their message to APEC Leaders, Energy Ministers also committed to a set of primary principles that underpin APEC activities in the energy sector and to a new implementation strategy for APEC’s energy program.


At the 21st meeting of the Energy Working Group (EWG21) held on 18–19 May 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, member economies agreed the Vision, Objectives, and Plan of a new Future Directions Strategic Plan for the EWG.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS
  1. Future directions strategic plan

Our Vision


The vision of the Energy Working Group holds that the EWG will promote the 3E’s (economic growth, energy security and environmental protection) and more broadly the contribution of energy to the economic, social, and environmental enhancement of the APEC community.


The EWG will achieve this by cooperation among member economies through government policy makers, technical experts, business/private sector representatives and regulators, working in partnership under the aegis of the EWG.


Our Objectives


The EWG will work cooperatively over the next five years to promote our vision through voluntary agreements, which take into account the individual circumstances of member economies. As part of its contribution to sustainable development within APEC, the EWG will pursue the following objectives:


  1. strengthening the security and reliability of affordable energy to all within our APEC community;
    1. promotion of clean and efficient technologies, and the efficient use of energy to achieve both economic gains and environmental enhancement;
  2. achieving environmental improvement of energy production, use and mineral extraction within our

APEC community;

  1. harnessing all expertise available to the EWG to give effect to the above objectives; and
  2. implement the Framework for the Integration of Women in APEC.

38



Our Plan


The EWG will promote policy approaches and initiatives and adopt work programs within the following strategic themes:


  1. Fostering a common understanding on regional energy issues.
  2. Improving the analytical, technical, operational and policy capacity within member economies.
    1. Facilitating energy and minerals resource and infrastructure development in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
  3. Facilitating energy efficiency and conservation
  4. Facilitating improved reliability and stability in the provision of energy supply to meet demand.
  5. Facilitating energy technology development, exchange, application and deployment. vii) Facilitating a diverse and efficient supply mix.
  1. Basic Principles

In 1996 Energy Ministers endorsed 14 non-binding policy principles for rational energy consumption, agreeing to:


  1. Emphasise the need to ensure energy issues are addressed in a manner which gives full consideration to harmonisation of economic development, security and environmental factors.
  2. Pursue policies for enhancing the efficient production, distribution and consumption of energy.
  3. Pursue open energy markets for achieving rational energy consumption, energy security and environmental objectives, recommending action in the appropriate forum of APEC to remove impediments to the achievement of these ends.
  4. Recognise that measures to facilitate the rational consumption of energy might involve a mix of market based and regulatory policies, with the relative components of the mix being a matter for the judgement of individual economies.
  5. Consider reducing energy subsidies progressively and promote implementation of pricing practices which reflect the economic cost of supplying and using energy across the full energy cycle, having regard to environmental costs.
  6. The regular exchange of experience on the various policies being used by member economies

to achieve a more rational energy consumption.

  1. Ensure that a least cost approach to the provision of energy services is considered.
  2. Promote the adoption of policies to facilitate the transfer of efficient and environmentally sound energy technologies on a commercial and non-discriminatory basis.
  3. Encourage the establishment of arrangements for the development of human resource skills relevant to the application and operation of improved technology.

10. Enhance energy information and management programs to assist more rational energy decision making.

11. Encourage energy research, development and demonstration to pave the way for cost effective application of new, more efficient and environmentally sound energy technologies.

12. Promote capital flows through the progressive removal of impediments to the funding of the transfer and adoption of more energy efficient and environmentally sound technologies and infrastructure.

13. Promote cost effective measures which improve the efficiency with which energy is used but reduce greenhouse gases as part of a suggested regional response to greenhouse gas reductions.

14. Cooperate, to the extent consistent with each economy’s development needs, in the joint implementation of projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the Climate Change Convention.


Members will develop and build on these principles, including into additional areas where consensus can

be reached, consistent with the EWG Future Directions Strategic Plan.


39



  1. Priorities

The EWG’s Action Program does not attempt to include the full spec trum of the Group’s activities. Rather it seeks to focus on key initiatives that will produce outcomes of direct relevance to the achievement of the objectives of the Bogor Declaration and the 3Es initiative.


The activities set out in the Action Program address both elements of the APEC Action Agenda (Part I concerning trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, and Part II concerning economic and technical cooperation) and cover the seven strategic themes referred to in the Plan above.


  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES
  1. Fostering a common understanding on regional energy issues

The EWG will continue to consolidate its energy database and production of a regional energy outlook. The outlook fosters member economies’ better understanding of the energy policy implications of future energy supply and demand trends and developments, thereby assisting member economies’ decision- making processes. The regional energy outlook is, and will continue to be, produced by the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) formally established in mid-1996, located in Japan and managed under the auspices of the Energy Working Group.


Activities aimed at further expansion of the APEC energy data base will be carried out by the Expert Group on Energy Data and Analysis. This will be achieved through the identification and collection of additional economic and social indicators, and by the collection of data on final energy consumption on

a more disaggregated basis. Where possible, this data will be collected from existing authorised international statistics. Other data will be submitted by each member economy. The timeliness and quality of oil market supply and demand data will be improved through activities aimed at improving the collection of this information from APEC member economies. These activities will be enhanced through technical cooperation with other multilateral agencies involved in energy data collection and analysis activities.


The EWG also encourages the free and open exchange of information on member economies policies and programs in the energy sector. This is facilitated through policy dialogue, and the exchange of information on notable energy developments and programs within member economies at EWG officials meetings.


Energy Ministers meeting in Okinawa, Japan, in 1998 recognised the importance of continuing improvements in the production, delivery and use of energy and agreed to implement a voluntary Pledge and Review program. EWG member economies report to meetings on progress against their pledged efficiency programs on an annual basis as a means of exchange of knowledge and information.


  1. Improving the analytical, technical, operational and policy capacity within member economies

The EWG will continue to actively pursue the Implementation Strategy endorsed by Energy Ministers in San Diego, USA, in May 2001 through delivery of the implementation facilitation assistance team (IFAT) process and annual reporting on a voluntary basis by member economies against the primary principles contained in the Implementation Strategy.


The IFAT program is a mechanism developed by the EWG to assist APEC member economies to implement agreed energy initiatives, including, amongst other things, power and gas sector reform. Under the program, and at the invitation of a member economy government, a team of energy experts visits the host economy to share experiences and provide advice on options and approaches to implementing energy market reforms or other aspects of the energy sector. Team members are drawn from a cross-section of APEC member economies, including representatives of the EWG Business Network, the Energy Regulators Forum, and other nominated experts.


40


The EWG will complete a study on ‘Strengthening the Operational Aspects of APEC Energy Micro- Economic Reform’ and deliver a series of workshops aimed at improving the understanding within APEC

of the role of micro-economic reform in energy markets and the efficiencies and benefits to consumers that can result. The workshops will also work to inform on issues associated with barriers to investment

in the energy sector and the means by which those barriers can be removed and private sector investment can be mobilised.


The EWG will undertake a project aimed at providing quantitative analysis of the broad economic impacts of micro-economic reform policies to deregulate energy markets in the APEC region. Using macro-economic modelling, the project will permit an assessment of the benefits to economies through lower energy prices and more open and transparent energy markets that are expected to flow from regulatory reform. The project will assess the potential benefits of reform at both the economy wide level

– through impacts on gross domestic product and sectoral outputs – as well as at the energy sector level – through impacts on energy prices, consumption and trade. The project will quantify the potential impacts of regulatory reform in the energy sector on macroeconomic performance as well as on energy consumption, prices and trade. The project will analyse the impacts of deregulation in the electricity sector as well as in primary fuel markets for petroleum, gas and coal, where appropriate.


  1. Facilitating energy and minerals resource and infrastructure development in an environmentally and socially responsible manner

In Edmonton, Canada, in 1997 APEC Energy Ministers endorsed an Environmentally Sound Infrastructure Initiative. Ministers noted that the rapid increase in power infrastructure, which will be necessary to meet the economic and social aspirations of the region, will have impacts on the environment, and that these impacts can be of a local, regional, or global nature. Ministers further noted that the challenge facing the region was to attract investment in power infrastructure, while at the same time ensuring that such infrastructure was established and operated in an environmentally sensitive way.


In Edmonton, Canada, APEC Energy Ministers also asked the EWG to examine ways to encourage greater strategic input from business. Trade and investment decisions in markets are impacted by the policies and practices set by government. To the extent that policies and practices can be changed to remove impediments, improve transparency and reduce risks, new trade and investment opportunities will open up and costs will be reduced. APEC provides an important vehicle for generating such change, providing a mechanism to influence governments at Leader, Ministerial, and Official level. By informing in

a constructive way, change can be influenced. This is not a short -term goal, but rather a longer-term objective that will generate mutual benefits with respect to the economic and social goals of governments through increased private sector investment and trade, and returns to business/private sector through greater opportunities and reduced costs. Crucial to the efficient realization of this objective is strategic input from business/private sector to ensure objectives are well defined and strategies appropriate. As a result, EWG members agreed, at their meeting in March 1998, to the establishment of the APEC EWG Business Network (EBN). The EBN meets twice a year and inputs through dialogue with officials to EWG policy and program development processes.


  1. Facilitating energy efficiency and conservation

Member economies participate in the activities of the five Expert Groups of the EWG. Expert Group activities involve economic and technical cooperation in the areas of Energy Efficiency and Conservation, New and Renewable Energy Technology, Energy Data and Analysis, Clean Fossil Energy, and Energy and Minerals Exploration and Development.


The EWG, Energy Regulators Forum (ERF) focuses its work program on activities that assess, advise and report to EWG on regulatory aspects of energy market developments in the APEC region. The ERF promotes exchange of information and regulatory expertise within and between member economies; facilitating exchanges and strengthening linkages with and between other APEC fora, including the EWG Expert Groups, EWG Business Network (EBN), Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC),

as well as guests of the EWG and ERF; and encouraging member economies to attend and participate

in appropriate APEC and EWG funded workshops and seminars that have an energy regulatory component.


41



In San Diego, USA, in May 2001 Energy Ministers called for the establishment of the position of an APEC Energy Efficiency Test Procedures Coordinator. The EWG will establish this position with the purpose of continuing the work started by the Steering Group on Energy Standards (SGES) on reducing barriers to trade created by differing energy performance test methods and energy performance requirements. The overall purpose will be met via the five objectives identified by the SGES:


  1. Developing, implementing and maintaining a standards web site — this will maintain up-to-date and accurate information about energy standards and regulations in APEC member economies.
  2. Managing a Standards Notification Procedure — to disseminate information relating to changes

to energy efficiency standards within member economies to all relevant parties and to provide coordination between member economies on the development of energy standards.

  1. Monitoring international standards processes and developing a database for standards —

tracking international developments in the field of energy standards.

  1. Coordinating APEC standards participation networks and algorithm activities within standards development where integrated with APEC priorities — liaising between relevant parties on matters concerning energy standards and regulations, and assisting in the establishment and presentation of a common ‘APEC stance’ on energy standards being developed within relevant international standards fora.
  2. Monitoring and reporting on the delivery of the SGES work program to reduce or remove the need for multiple testing.
  1. Facilitating improved reliability and stability in the provision of energy supply to meet demand

As part of its broad program of work the EWG will develop and implement an energy security initiative which aims to improve the functioning of energy markets; energy efficiency and conservation; diversification of energy resources; renewable energy development and deployment; and explore the potential for alternative transport fuels, to alleviate pressure on the oil market, including the role that stocks could play as an option to respond to oil market disruptions. As part of this initiative, the EWG will deliver a project titled ‘Energy Security Initiative: Petroleum Stocks as an Option to Respond to Oil Market Disruptions’. The objective of the project is to provide member economies with further options to consider in addressing the economic impacts of oil market volatility and more fundamental energy security concerns. Consistent with the EWG’s approach to all of the initiatives it develops and executes, participation in developing the initiative and any follow up action by individual member economies based

on agreed elements of the initiative will be voluntary. The initiative will provide exchanges of information and experience on policy, analytical and technical issues, stock holdings and draw down arrangements, costs, and integration with other energy security measures. The EWG will use the ‘Best Practice model’

of previous initiatives and will emphasize shared experiences. The project will, through a series of workshops, draw upon existing expertise in the EWG and its Expert Groups, the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre, member economies, and other appropriate organisations.


The EWG will implement an Earthquak e Response Initiative that will involve sharing of information and experience. All APEC member economies will strengthen their capacity to prepare for earthquake disasters and to carry out rescue and restoration efforts. Overall, this initiative will lessen the damage to energy systems from earthquakes and increase energy supply security in the region. Initially this initiative will deliver a Report on Energy Infrastructure Earthquake Resistance Guidelines and Regulations of APEC Economies. The project will also deliver a seminar at which the participants from APEC member economies will present guidelines and regulations aiming to reduce the impacts of earthquakes on energy infrastructure, as well as best practices on post-earthquake investigation and restoration. The proceedings of the seminar will be published and widely distributed within the APEC region.


The EWG will undertake a project to identify and address barriers (policy, technical, regulatory and legal) to the interconnection of power grids in APEC member economies. Recommendations for action will be presented to the EWG, and two workshops conducted with relevant parties to disseminate information and strategies on overcoming barriers. Through these workshops member economies will develop and gain a greater and more practical understanding of how to target and implement the policies


42


developed. Workshops would be held in venues to maximise participation of member economies. This project is of significance to developing APEC economies, many of which are characterised by under developed power inter-connections.


  1. Facilitating energy technology development, exchange, application and deployment

The APEC 21st Century Renewable Energy Development Initiative consists of the development within the EWG Expert Group on New and Renewable Energy (EGNRET) Technologies of a series of collaborative efforts among its member economies to advance the use of renewable energy for sustainable economic development and growth of the APEC region. EGNRET has identified the priority needs and issues of its members, especially developing economies, for the promotion of sustainable development and growth, relating to the use of renewable energy. Eight collaborative efforts are being developed and will be implemented by multi-economy and multi-disciplinary ‘program teams’ consisting

of representatives from governments, the private sector, NGOs, utilities and financing organisations.


The EWG will implement a research project ‘Harmonising Economic and Environmental Objectives of Energy Policy’. The project will deliver the findings of a comprehensive examination of key relevant issues relating to the harmonisation of economic and environmental objectives of energy policy. The information obtained will assist member economies in decision and policy development processes. The work program will aim to improve the information base in relation to environmental impacts of energy production and use, and assess the extent to which the deployment of technology and end use efficiency can contribute to harmonising environmental and energy objectives.


The EWG will undertake a review of the various standards that exist within APEC that govern the application of new and renewable energy technologies. The results of the review will be documented and shared. A universal knowledge of standards and regulations relating to the application of new and renewable energy technologies within member economies will facilitate a better understanding of the potential barriers to trade in these technologies and products.


The EWG will deliver a series of workshops on the impacts of e-commerce on the energy sector within the APEC region. This work will be undertaken by the ad-hoc task force on e-commerce in energy established by EWG20 in Cusco, Peru.


The EWG will finalise work on energy services whose outcomes will not in any way prejudice activities underway in the WTO on services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services. The EWG will report back to the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) so that the Group on Services under CTI can progress this work.


The EWG will undertake work that will provide quantitative analysis of the benefits of the uptake of ‘New Economy’ technologies to the energy sector in APEC member economies. This project will benefit all APEC member economies by providing a common understanding of the implications of these technologies for economic growth and sectoral performance, with a particular focus on energy consumption, production and trade.


  1. Facilitating a diverse and efficient supply mix

The EWG will initiate a project that will determine the extent to which interconnection standards for distributed electricity resources and policies act as barriers to trade within APEC economies. The miniaturisation of electric-generating technologies is a growing trend within APEC economies. These technologies can be placed at the source of electricity consumption rather than at central stations. A lack of interconnection standards could act as a barrier to using these small-scale technologies and, hence, to trade in APEC economies.


  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES

The focus of activities in the Action Program is on cooperative action that will encourage increased policy dialogue between member economies, leading to the further development of shared non-binding


43


policy concepts. The strong foundation created in this manner will provide the basis for member economies to undertake mutual examination of each other’s energy policies, in line with common policy concepts and goals, in order to achieve balanced and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.


44


ACTION PROGRAM FOR FISHERIES


  1. PREAMBLE

The Pacific Ocean, with an area exceeding that of the land mass of the entire world, accounts for about fifty percent of the world’s harvest, consumption and exports of fish and fish products. Aquaculture output in the region accounts for approximately seventy five percent of the world’s total aquaculture production and is playing an increasingly important role in trade and economic development in the region. Fishing is one of the major economic activities in the Asia-Pacific region. In many member economies it forms a significant part of the economic base, and in some smaller economies, particularly

in the South Pacific, it provides the only realistic opportunity for their future economic growth and prosperity.


The unique feature of fisheries is that they have a certain limit to their production base. The world’s fisheries, including some in the Pacific, have suffered from over-exploitation and have not always been rationally utilised to ensure sustainable economic development. These factors also apply to aquaculture production which, while seeming to have potential for further expansion, faces environmental limits in the form of water quality, availability of space, etc. Close cooperation among APEC members is required in order to promote long-term optimum utilisation based upon sustainability of the resource. These unique features raise unique issues for the fisheries sector in achieving the direction given by APEC Leaders in the Bogor Declaration.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

The following goal, principles and objectives are shared as policy concepts.


  1. Goal

Maximize the economic benefits from, and the sustainability of, fisheries resources for the common benefit of all APEC members.


  1. Basic Principles

In achieving the


  1. Shared responsibility

The sustainable development of the regions fisheries and aquaculture resources is the responsibility of all APEC members if we are to achieve long term economic growth based upon the regions fisheries. Further, in order for the benefits from the sustainable development of the regions resources to be realised and shared, all APEC members have a responsibility to advance trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation.


ii) Common Interest/Common Benefit


Many of the problems associated with fisheries and aquaculture management are common to all APEC members. Issues such as over utilisation, user group conflict, environmental degradation, gender, supply and demand trends, and trade and investment barriers are experienced by all members. The solutions developed by some members to these issues could well provide the solutions required in other member economies. There is a common benefit in sharing experiences relating to the resolution of these issues.


iii) GATT/WTO Consistency


In order for the maximum economic benefits from the region’s fisheries to be realised, a progressively liberalised and ultimately free and open trade and investment regime must be


45


established. Barriers to trade and investment will be reduced and the free flow of goods, services and capital will be promoted in a GATT consistent manner.


iv) Equal Partnership and Mutual Respect


It is recognized that a diversity of circumstances exist in the region. It is also recognized that we all benefit by advancing economic growth, improved education and training and resource sustainability throughout the region.


  1. Priorities

The Fisheries Working Group has identified the following objectives that the Group will need to address within its work programme in order to achieve its stated goal.


  1. The FWG needs to strengthen economic and technical cooperation in the management

of the production base of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the following areas:


  1. Promotion of conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources domestically and regionally.
  2. Solutions to common fisheries resource management problems.
  3. Promotion of the sustainable development of aquaculture in the region. iv) Solutions to aquaculture disease control.
  4. Promotion of habitat preservation.
  5. Enhancement of the food safety and quality of fish and fisheries products.
  1. The FWG needs to promote work in the following areas concerning trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation in the sector:
    1. harmonisation of rules and regulations on product standards concerning fish and fisheries products;
    2. the effects of subsidies on resource management within the sector;
    3. the impact of resource management techniques upon trade;
    4. standard principles for the enhancement of the food safety and quality of fish and fisheries products;
    5. current barriers to trade (including tariff and non-tariff measures) and investment in the region; and
    6. the supply gap in fisheries products given growing demand.
  2. Sector Specific Factors

In developing these objectives consideration needs to be given to the unique characteristics of the resource concerned. The Vision Statement of the FWG provides a context within which to apply the above objectives. However, various sector specific issues will also need to be addressed. These issues can be summarised as:


  1. limitation of supply potential from the resource and growing market demand for fisheries products;
  2. the common property nature of the resource and the associated user conflicts that result;
  3. the lack of effective management regimes in some fisheries;
  4. the excess capacity that currently exists in the world’s fishing fleets;
  5. the lack of coherent internationally agreed rules governing trade and product quality for fisheries products;
  6. the incomplete nature of sector specific information regarding subsidies, administrative barriers etc; and
  7. the social impacts upon traditional/artisanal fishers and communities of various fisheries management techniques and trade and investment liberalisation.
  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES

46



  1. The FWG needs to strengthen economic and technical cooperation in the management

of the production base of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the following areas:


  1. Promotion of conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources domestically and regionally. In this regard, the APEC Joint FWG/MRC Task Force on Destructive Fishing Practices has been developed to focus on: 1) developing and implementing model coral reef fishery management guidelines and practices; 2) establishing a regional harmonized code for identifying fish in trade, through a full deliberative process in APEC; 3) establishing a regional certification system; and 4) outreach strategies including training, and engaging the private sector and non-governmental organizations over the coming years. Unfortunately, the FWG has not followed up on the successful workshop on fishery management concerns hosted by Japan in 1999.
  2. Solutions to common fisheries resource management problems. The FWG hopes that one outcome of an APEC shark project might be capacity building in the APEC region for implementation of the FAO International Plan of Action for shark conservation and management.
  3. Promotion of the sustainable development of aquaculture in the region. We have focused much attention on sustainable aquaculture projects that provide alternatives to reef- destructive fishing practices for the live reef food fish trade.
  4. Solutions to aquaculture disease control. A recently approved project for science-base import risk assessment procedures will contribute to capacity building among fishing companies that are SME’s, initially in shrimp aquaculture.
  5. Promotion of habitat protection. Prevention of reef destructive fishing has contributed to the protection of coral reef habitat. More needs to be done in this area.
  6. Enhancement of the food safety and quality of fish and fisheries products. Several early FWG projects contributed to regional implementation of HACCP-based seafood safety programs. More technology transfer and training could be provided to build regional capacity in this area.
  1. The group needs to promote work in the following areas concerning trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the sector.
    1. Harmonization of rules and regulations on product standards concerning fish and fisheries products.
    2. The effects of subsidies on resource management within the sector. iii) The impact of resource management techniques upon trade.
    3. Standard principles for the enhancement of the food safety and quality of fish and fisheries products.
    4. Current barriers to trade (including all tariff and non-tariff measures) and investment in the region.
    5. The supply gap in fisheries products given growing demand.

General comment: The work of the FWG is hampered by the refusal of some economies to participate in discussions of trade liberalization. In some cases, this is due to the perception that a few economies might impose their approaches on other economies, thereby challenging the sovereign authorities of each economy to establish its own domestic approac hes to international problems. In other cases, the reasons why progress is being blocked are less clear.


  1. Sector specific factors – in developing these objectives consideration needs to be given

to the characteristics of fisheries. The vision statement of the FWG provides the context within which the above objectives apply. However, various sector specific issues need

to be addressed including:


  1. limitation of supply potential from the resource and growing market demand for fisheries products.
  2. the common property nature of the resource and the associated user conflicts resulting. iii) the lack of effective management regimes in some fisheries.

47


  1. the excess capacity that currently exists in the world’s fishing fleets.
  2. the lack of coherent internationally agreed rules governing trade and product quality for fisheries products.
  3. the incomplete nature of sector specific information regarding subsidies, administrative barriers, etc.
  4. the social impacts upon traditional/artisanal fishers and communities.

General comment: The FWG is well-positioned to begin projects that address these concerns. Perhaps the Ocean-related Ministerial Meeting and the WSSD process will begin to provide clarity to our thinking about how to resolve these issues.


  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES

Member economies will engage in dialogue on their policies/activities at the Fisheries Working Group to review and further develop the common policy concepts and the joint activities.


48


ACTION PROGRAM FOR HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT


  1. INTRODUCTION

In response to the adoption of the Bogor Declaration in November 1994, the Ministers decided that an action program would be formed around the components of (a) trade and investment liberalization; (b) trade and investment facilitation; and (c) economic and technical cooperation.


In the context of economic and technical cooperation, a mid/long-term perspective is necessary on human resources development, guided by the principle and recognition that the people in the region are

its most important resource. With the dynamism of the region reflected in changing human resources needs, continued priority attention should be devoted to developing human resources. Given the principles enunciated in the Human Resources Development Framework , it is also imperative that an Action Program for APEC HRD be formulated in order to establish policy concepts and provide directions in the pursuit of concrete activities and projects.


In the formulation of the stated Action Program, the HRD Working Group and the other APEC fora shall be guided by the following:


  1. The development of human resources contributes to the attainment of economic growth and development. This underscores the importance of designing regional approaches to human resources development within the framework and the priorities set out by the Declaration on the Human Resources Framework for APEC.
  2. Sustainable development depends upon the successful implementation of policies that integrate economic, environmental, and social objectives. As such, it is important to integrate environmental objectives into education and training programs to enhance environmental consciousness on the part of all citizens. Environmental education among children and youth should be an element in APEC HRD cooperative work towards sustainable development.

iii) The accelerating globalization of industry creates a prime opportunity to encourage the establishment and growth of domestic industry and to nurture a highly efficient and productive industrial structure. In recognizing this, the APEC Ministers, during the meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, in November 1994, agreed that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) policy dialogue on human resources development, information access, technology sharing, the availability of finance, and market access, should be further enhanced.


The Action Program for APEC Human Resources Development shall have the following components and features:


  1. common policy concepts;
  2. a joint activities framework for HRD;
  3. joint activities for HRD: human resources development program 21;
  4. HRD activities in other APEC committees and working groups;
  5. dialogue on member economies’ policies/activities; and vi) time frame.
  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

The common policy concepts shall essentially consist of the goals, basic principles, and priorities defined by the Declaration on the Human Resources Development Framework . These concepts are shared and acknowledged by the APEC member economies as the basis for the development and implementation of HRD programs within the region.


  1. Goals

As stated in the Declaration on Human Resources Development Framework and the 1995 HRD work plan, the goal of human resources development in APEC is to promote the well-being of all people in the


49


region through economic growth and development. Furthermore, HRD has an important role to play in achieving the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment which was emphasized in the Bogor Declaration. This development of human resources will be achieved by planning, developing, and implementing practical and appropriate education and training for present and future managers, entrepreneurs, and workers in the public and private sectors and even non-workers contributing to the economic growth, trade and development of the region. Well-educated and well-trained individuals may contribute to future economic growth and development through their roles as parents and community figures as well as through current or future employment.


  1. Basic Principles

APEC HRD will be based on the following principles, as stated in the Declaration on Human Resources

Development Framework and the HRD’s annual work plans:


  1. The people of the Asia Pacific are the most important resource in economic growth and development, one of whose goals is to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the people in the region.
  2. The development and protection of human resources contribute to the attainment of such fundamental values as the alleviation of poverty, full employment, universal access to primary, secondary, and vocational education and the full participation of all groups in the process of economic growth and development.

iii) Human resources development requires cooperative action by public, and business/private sectors, educational and training institutions.

iv) In designing regional approaches to human resources development, attention must be given to the diversity of experiences and situations in the region.


  1. Priorities

The formulation of the Action Program for APEC HRD shall be guided by the priorities enunciated in the Declaration on Human Resources Development Framework and a priority area on trade and investment facilitation and liberalization. These priorities, which call for joint activities, are as follows:


  1. Provision of a quality basic education for all.
  2. Analysis of the regional labour market to allow sound forecasting of trends and needs in human resources development.
  3. Increasing the supply and enhancing the quality of managers, entrepreneurs, and educators/trainers in areas of the economy central to fostering economic growth and development. Such areas include training in small- and medium-sized enterprises in entrepreneurship and in the management of sustainable growth incorporating economic and environmental consideration.
  4. Reducing skills deficiencies and unemployment by designing industrial and other training programs for applications at all stages of a person’s working life.
  5. Increasing the quality of curricula, teaching methods and instructional materials relating to the education and training of managers and other workers.
  6. Increasing the opportunities throughout the region for people who seek to gain skills required for the economic growth and development of member economies and the region as a whole.
  7. Preparing organizations and individuals to remain productive in the face of rapid economic and technological changes in member economies, the Asia-Pacific region and the global economy.

viii) Cooperation in education and training among member economies will promote human resources development toward the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment in the region. Increased international mobility of qualified persons for HRD activities will also enhance economic growth.


  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES FRAMEWORK FOR HRD

The eight priorities earlier indicated basically define the basic mission of APEC for human resources development. It shall be incumbent upon the HRDWG therefore, to translate these mandates into attainable plans for HRD, increasing opportunities for joint activities among member economies to


50


maximize the benefits of human resources development in the region. These priorities, ultimately, when translated into concrete action, shall put into motion the goals and objectives of promoting of well-being

of individuals within the region, not only as the means to achieve economic growth and development, but the end itself.


Bearing this major objective in mind, the joint activities shall be developed on the basis of the following framework:


  1. Joint activities to be developed shall directly respond to one or more of the priority areas earlier defined in this paper.
  2. Within each priority area are specific activities to be undertaken in the short -, medium-, and long- term to achieve APEC’s HRD goals.

iii) Performance indicators shall be established for each priority area and each joint activity to identify specific milestone points and to provide a basis for the assessment of the progress of activities through a set of pre-defined measurement targets and indicators.

iv) Joint activities shall be monitored and evaluated against the measurement targets or performance indicators to enable the collection of information that will serve as basis for future planning and policy formulation activities within the APEC HRDWG and other APEC fora.

  1. A system for the continuous review and assessment of the progress of the joint activities shall be an integral part of program management to allow for modifications in the project approaches and, if necessary, to the action program itself.

vi) A system for reporting and feedback by and among the member economies shall be established to promote complementation in the HRD activities of various member economies.


The HRDWG will examine proposals on such joint activities and, where appropriate, approve them as APEC HRD cooperative projects. The progress and outcome of these projects will be reported to HRDWG meetings. The HRDWG will also prioritize the projects requiring funding from the APEC Central Fund and send them to SOM via BMC for approval.


The other APEC fora shall also undertake human resources development activities in the field for which they are responsible in order to maximize the potentials of economic growth and development in the region toward the promotion of the well-being of its people in the region.


In pursuing HRD efforts, due attention will be given to optimize integration of gender and youth into

APEC activities.


In responding to the Beijing Initiative which calls for involvement of the stakeholders in human capacity building efforts, APEC economies will explore mutually beneficial cooperation between the government, business/private and education/training sectors.


  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES: HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 21

On the basis of the framework agreed upon, the HRDWG shall examine proposals on joint projects, taking into account this framework and the eight priority areas identified earlier. It shall likewise coordinate with other APEC fora to promote cross-forum cooperation in the conduct of HRD-related activities.


For its Action Program, the HRDWG has identified 21 program areas consisting of 14 sub-programs of the HRDWG addressing the themes developed under the eight priority areas, and an additional 7 sub- programs developed as Leaders’ and Ministers’ initiatives. Specific projects/activities and their corresponding performance indicators have been established by the HRDWG to guide the course of its activities in the mid- to long-term. The 21 programs of the HRD are as follows:


  1. Programs on the Basis of the Eight Priorities
  1. Providing High Quality Instruction in Key Subjects (Related to Priority 1)

51


The development of human resources is highly dependent on high-quality curriculum, effective instructional methods, and use of new and innovative technologies, both for formal and informal education. In particular, enhancing the capacity of teachers to deliver high-quality instruction and ensuring that students have access to high-quality instructional materials are essential to an effective system of education and training. For this purpose, member economies may identify subject areas that they consider particularly critical to economic growth and development. Member economies may gain significant insights toward the improvement of instructional methods through information sharing. Specific activities which the HRDWG has completed include integrating training in use of information and communication technologies into teaching training, methods for formulating standards for vocational teachers, case studies of promising models or practices for teacher induction, teacher development, and teaching/work environments. Comparative study of primary and secondary science education programs

in APEC members toward the identification of effective policies and practices to improve science education and an assessment of levels of utilization of computer network systems among students, teachers, and administrators served promote innovative uses of technology in education.


  1. Analysis of Labor Market Issues (Related to Priority 2)

Understanding and anticipating the trends and needs in human resources development is vital for all aspects of economic growth. This requires the analysis of regional labor market to allow sound forecasting and policy formulation by member economies. Toward this end, the HRDWG, will undertake researches, conferences, and symposia to facilitate information exchange and data gathering and assessment. Projects to be undertaken in the short-term include the conduct of researches to determine extent of linkages between labor market and education and the role and status of women in social and economic development; and the conduct of symposia on Public-Private Sector Collaboration in HRD and

on capacity building in HRD of key basic industries in the region. In the medium-term, it shall establish a

HRD data base in collaboration with PECC.


  1. Management and Strengthening of Small and Medium Enterprises (Related to Priority 3)

In order to maximize growth opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of APEC member economies, the HRDWG shall pursue projects that would promote the quality of management and entrepreneurial skills in human resources. Projects to be undertaken under this sub-program include the conduct of ‘Training Programs and Surveys to Enhance Productivity Among SMEs’, short -term programs that will proceed to the medium-term. Other projects include the promotion and conduct of on-the-job training programs from the mid- to long-term.


  1. Management and Promotion of Sustainable Development (Related to Priority 3)

To sustain benefits that are to be derived from increased productivity resulting from human resources development, emphasis will likewise be placed on strengthening the management, education, and training systems of member economies for increased environmental awareness and for the effective management of environmental issues within organizations. A significant project to promote this theme would be to produce, in the long term, certification systems for environment managers with emphasis on pollution prevention. Projects to be undertaken in the short -term include the conduct of an APEC-wide study on the ‘Future Directions of Industrial Environmental Technology HRD’ toward the development of environmental industrial strategies; conduct of a ‘Conference on Critical Strategies for Responding to HRD Implications of Environmental Technology Issues’; and the launching of the ‘Economic and Development Environment Investments Project’ to provide EDM training for policy advisors and managers.


  1. Executive Education and Development (Related to Priorities 3 and 7)

The development of human resources within the region will have to be undertaken at all levels within organizations. The needs of executives and managers should be equally addressed in the light of the emerging trends and realities in the region. The educat ion and development of management personnel to

a level where they can accurately gauge the rapidly changing Asia-Pacific economic and technical environment and respond to these changes is critical to the region’s sustained development and growth.


52


Training courses for Economic Development Zone senior managers were also been undertaken which will culminate with a symposium. The conduct of Get-togethers on HRD beginning in 1996 by Entrepreneurs to promote information exchange and to increase manager exchange programs in the long-term; conduct of research on modalities of university-industry cooperation in the region; and research on technology management and HRD support in the APEC region shall be undertaken in the short-term. The development of training materials for management development through research into trends in executive development programs shall also be pursued from the short- to medium-term.


  1. Supporting the Development of Useful Labor Market Information and Policy, Workplace

Condition and Social Safety Net (Related to Priority 2, 3, 4 and 7)


Support strong and flexible labor markets through policy research, collaboration, technical cooperation and the provision of labor market, enterprise-based training, and employment policies including labor market adjustment measures to assist workers affected by globalization and the development of professional and technical personnel; support the development of improved workplace conditions and practices including such measures as enhancing productivity, the adoption of new technologies, better labor-management relations, and improved safety and health; work on the strengthening of social safety nets in areas such as income support programs, measures to enhance employability, empower individuals, and mitigate dependence.


  1. Industrial Technology Education (Related to Priorities 3, 4, and 5)

Improving the quality of curricula, teaching methods, and instructional materials relating to industrial technology education is increasingly necessary to optimize the development of human resources who can adequately respond to changing business market opportunities in the emerging borderless Asia- Pacific economic community. Critical elements of this program include the conduct of cooperation efforts geared to encouraging exchange of information on training and skills development policies, strategies, and programs among member economies. Specific projects/activities under this program include establishment of a network of research collaborators toward the identification of best practice approaches in the field of information technology education; and development of ‘Technology Management Training Program for SMEs’.


  1. Lifelong Learning (Related to Priority 4)

Improving labor productivity and flexibility is central to sustainable and equitable economic growth in the APEC region. As such, human resource development initiatives and strategies should cater to the emerging needs of the region’s manpower in order that they may be equipped to equally address emerging roles and skills requirements in the region. This program emphasizes the significance of creating new approaches and HRD programs for application in all stages of a person’s working life. To provide a solid foundation for various initiatives under this program, the HRDWG has published regional and general papers on lifelong learning programs and intends to develop a database on individuals and agencies developing lifelong learning activities. A conference on ‘Lifelong Learning Approaches and Initiatives’ was held in 1997.


  1. Developing Ways To Monitor Performance of Education Systems (Related to Priority 1)

In order to determine whether education systems are able to achieve their goals of instilling knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors in students, as well as prepare students for the world of work, further learning, and good citizenship, it is necessary to put in place a strategy to acquire quality data, measure performance, and a system for analysis and reporting. This is important in determining how much of the goals are met vis-a vis the actual performance of education systems. Cooperative work among member economies under this program should help member economies design methods to develop data and monitor their own system’s performance. As such, projects under this program include the collection and publication of an APEC educational indicators dat abase in 2002. Conferences have been undertaken to promote information sharing on ‘state-of-the-art’ performance measurement approaches and reporting systems: a framework conference conducted in October 1995, a conference

on school-based indicators in 1996 and a conference on student assessment in October 2000. In


53


January 1999, as part of a conference on education management reform, methods of performance assessment currently being utilized were a key aspect of the discussion. The continuous exchange of information is expected to result in the establishment of higher performing systems in the region.


  1. Facilitating Mobility of Persons and Information Exchange For HRD and Economic

Growth (Related to Priorities 6 and 8)


Enhancement of the capacity and opportunities for the movement among member economies of people who have skills relevant for economic growth is a necessary element in achieving trade and investment liberalization and facilitation in the region. Thus, consistent with the goals of APEC, its HRD activities must facilitate the movement and interaction of qualified persons. To further promote HRD in the region

as a means to achieve economic goals, projects to be undertaken in the short -term included the sharing

of information on best practice and training in systems of accreditation, curriculum development and certification, with engineering as pilot; and conduct of an experts meeting to discuss new exchanges in higher education for the 21st century. In the medium-term, the publication of member economy profiles in booklet and video forms, for distribution among schools in at least half of the members to facilitate student project work; and the establishment of a communication network among education and human resource policy makers to promote information sharing has been pursued. The establishment of APEC Study Centers at institutions of higher education and research centers throughout the region has been undertaken on a continuing basis. The conduct of increased levels of exchanges of students, staff, and researchers through the University Mobility in the Asia Pacific (UMAP) and increased exchanges of education officials through EDNET cooperation are also underway and continuing. A series of bilateral agreements for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications between professional bodies or governments are being pursued in the long-term. The establishment of additional bilateral agreements promoted a continuing program for the exchange of education officials in the region in 2000.



movement of qualified and experienced human resources within the region will contribute to the economic development of the Asia-Pacific region. Toward this end, member economies shall share best practices and undertake training programs in the system of accreditation, curriculum development, and certification of professions in the short -term. Mutual recognition of qualification is endeavoured to be realized in the long-term through a series of bilateral agreements between professional bodies and governments in the region.


  1. Management for Organizational Change (Related to Priority 7)

This program shall be pursued to assist organizations in managing the change process resulting from technological changes and the dynamism of processes in the region. The changes in the economic and technical environment embracing the public and private sector calls for certain levels of restructuring within organizations and corresponding initiatives to enable human resources in organizations to effectively manage the restructuring processes as well as pursue better relations within the workplace. A report on ‘Managing Corporate Change Within APEC Economies’ was published in September 1995 and

a seminar relating to Labour-Management-Government relations in the workplace was held in June 2001.
Significantly, fac


54


  1. Liberalization and Facilitation Of Trade In Services (Related to Priority 8)

The emerging realities in the region provide the impetus for cooperative arrangements among member economies in ensuring the availability of a workforce that would respond to the needs and requirements

of the region. Consistent with the vision of a community of nations bonded by a deepening spirit of openness and partnership, the member economies have endeavoured to liberalize and facilitate the exchange of technological know-how and qualified persons to address the skills requirements in the region. Toward this end, member economies will promote cross-member investment in education and training through principles to be established and implemented in bilateral and other agreements in the mid- to long-term. The HRDWG will also undertake an analysis of various researches conducted in the field of cross-cultural management of trade dispute resolution toward the development of course material

in the short-term to promote appreciation of this approach in trade dispute resolution among member economies.


  1. Standards and Conformance (Related to Priority 8)

Standards and conformance are an important area in regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. As such, it is vital to ensure the quality and availability of skilled and trained human resources that can establish and implement effective standards and conformance systems in the region.

In line with this, the HRDWG shall undertake in the short -term a study on HRD requirements to promote quality assurance system and implement workshops in the medium-term to discuss expert exchanges and harness opportunities for training in the field of standards and conformance.


  1. Intellectual Property Rights (Related to priority 8)

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) have assumed a critical level of importance in the light of the more liberalized flow of goods and services within the global and regional community. Given this, the availability of highly trained human resources to implement systems relating to intellectual property rights will have to be ensured among the member economies. The HRDWG, toward this end, will conduct activities to raise consciousness on IPR systems and their implementation. Part of this undertaking has involved the determination of further needs for training of member economies on the development of IPR and the development and conduct of IPR courses in member economies.


  1. Programs Related to Leaders’ and Ministers’ Initiatives

The following Leaders’ and Ministers’ initiatives respond to specific priorities identified earlier and are linked to the fourteen sub-programs of the HRDWG that address the themes of the eight priority areas:


  1. APEC Leaders’ Education Initiative

Proposed by the USA, the APEC Leaders Education Initiative (ALEI) will be an investment in the education of future generations to develop regional cooperation in higher education, study key regional economic issues, improve workers’ skills, facilitate cultural and intellectual exchanges, foster understanding on the diversity of this region, and to harness other regional cooperative undertakings in the aspect of education and human resource development.


The establishment of APEC Study Centers is an important component of ALEI. Thes e centers have been established in all member economies to promote collaborative research on APEC related issues. ALEI also includes the implementation of an APEC scholars program to promote the exchange of students and teachers.


  1. APEC Business Volunteer Program

Proposed by Thailand, the APEC Business Volunteers Program aims to promote HRD to create business, legal, and other environments favourable to trade and investment by mutual expert dispatch among private sector entities in the APEC region. This initiative also aims to further economic


55


development in the region through the exchange and transfer of managerial and technical skills by exchange of business volunteers.


A significant feature of this program includes the establishment of focal points in each member economy that identifies the needs and expertise available in each member economy for compilation into a roster

of available expertise to be used in the networking activities among the member focal points. To facilitate and systematically carry out continuous information exchange and strengthen communication lines among the various focal points, an APEC BVP Coordinating Office in Bangkok, Thailand, was established. This office has also served as an information center with access to updated rosters of experts in member economies and has received applications for expert dispatch for referral to appropriate expert dispatch agencies in member economies.


  1. APEC Ministerial Meeting on Human Resources Development

Responding to the APEC challenges, Ministerial Meetings on Human Resources Development have been held since 1996 and biennially since 1997 to maintain the momentum of ongoing HRD efforts and

to chart the direction of future HRD work in APEC.


  1. APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for SMEs (ACTETSME)

The project is a result of the APEC Leaders pledge in Blake Island, USA, during which the Philippine Government put forward the initiative to operationalize a center that will collectively harness the resources of APEC member economies to support sustainable development and growth of SMEs in the region. The Center performs the role of a resource center with distinct capabilities in information networking, mobilization of training opportunities for technical know-how absorption and upgrading, and organizing spec ialized activities to reach out to SMEs for syndicating technology transfer projects in the spirit of intra-regional cooperation and business internationalization.


  1. SME Ministerial Meeting

The APEC HRDWG has adopted ‘SMEs’ as a key theme in its workplan. This complements the recognition that SMEs are increasingly important in terms of heightening economic complementarities and development in the region. Toward this end, APEC HRD afforded more emphasis on activities that support the growth and development of SMEs, which in turn, has supported the overall APEC goal of further economic growth in the region.


  1. Sustainable Development Ministers’ Meeting

The Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Development was held in 1997. Taking the cue from Senior Officials who review APEC activities in sustainable development regularly in consultation with Chairs and Lead Shepherds of all APEC fora, the HRDWG discusses pertinent issues relating to sustainable development as part of its regular agenda at its meetings.


  1. APEC Education Foundation

Proposed by the USA and welcomed by the Ministers in Jakarta, Indonesia, the APEC Education Foundation (AEF) was established in 1995 as an expansion of the Leaders’ Education Initiative to advance the cause of education and human resources development in the region. Following the proposal

by Korea, the Foundation’s Grants and Programs Secretariat was opened in Seoul, Korea, in 1997 and the Administrative Office later in Monterey, USA. In Vancouver, Canada, APEC Leaders acknowledged the development and progress of the Foundation in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Declaration. With financial contributions from the Korean Government and the private sector in the USA, the AEF has supported the endeavors of APEC member economies to enhance collective learning and exchange information. In 2000, the AEF reorganized and consolidated the Secretariat, now integrated in Seoul, to ensure efficiency and transparency. In Brunei, Ministers welcomed ‘the efforts to revitalize the APEC Education Foundation and urged economies to participate actively in the Foundation.’


56


As a grant-making organization intended to channel investments into the development of human resources in the region, the AEF will continue to promote educational cooperation, research and scholarship, and community building through a concerted approach among the public and private sectors and educational and training institutions. In collaboration with various partners of APEC, the AEF will also seek ways to contribute to human capacity building within APEC in its priority areas. In order to build a solid basis to advance its objectives, efforts will be accelerated to establish a financial resource base and enhance public outreach.


  1. HRD ACTIVITIES IN OTHER APEC FORA

Considering the critical role of human resources in promoting growth and development potentials in the region, its continued development has been pursued in consonance with policy and program initiatives that has been developed and undertaken in the various APEC fora.


A regular agenda item at HRDWG meetings provides for discussion on HRD-related activities in other

APEC fora. These include:


of WTO Agreements (Committee on Trade and Investment).

(APEC Finance process).

(Agricultural Technical Cooperation WG).

WG).

  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES
  1. Policy Dialogue

Members will implement regularly policy dialogues at the HRDWG to promote better understanding and appreciation of policy concepts described above and to facilitate HRD joint activities among member economies. Such dialogues shall include discussions and sharing of experiences and insights among APEC member economies on progress achieved in the field of human resources development, and consultation on each member’s policies in the light of common policy concepts.


APEC members will review the outcome of joint activities and the status of HRD in each economy on the basis of performance indicators to be established by the HRDWG.


  1. Dialogue Themes

APEC economies will conduct the necessary dialogue on appropriate themes from the entire range of

HRD issues. These will include:


  1. Exchange of Information on Key Policy Developments

Policy developments occurring in the field of human resources development in the member economies shall be shared to promote cooperative undertakings in training and education. It is envisioned that through a direct and deliberate pattern of information exchange, the member economies will be able to enhance cooperation and harness opportunities for the formulation of complementary policies and standards in the region. It is also through improved channels of information exchange that the distinct character of political, economic, and social realities prevailing in the member economies can be appreciated for closer cooperation in the pursuit of HRD programs within the APEC.


57



ii) Promotion of Professional HRD Practices and Standards


Efforts to promote professional HRD practices and standards shall be pursued by the HRDWG. This will be done through sharing of information on current HRD practices and curriculum development systems of various member economies.


As a parallel strategy, systems will be provided and harmonized whenever possible, for the promotion of personnel exchanges.


  1. TIME FRAME
  1. Yearly

Formulation of an annual work plan to implement the Action Program.


  1. Regular

Action Program shall be reviewed regularly and amended whenever necessary to improve performance.


58


ACTION PROGRAM FOR INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


  1. INTRODUCTION

The Asia-Pacific region now accounts for 50% of the world’s GNP and 40% of international trade and continues to display strong economic growth. The region also has great potential in terms of both economic supply and demand.


In order to secure sustainable economic growth, it is vital not only to facilitate increased investment in the region but to promote widespread access to and knowledge about industrial science and technology

(IST).


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

The common policy concepts shall essentially consist of the goals, basic principles, and priorities defined by the APEC Agenda for S&T Industry Cooperation into the 21st Century, which was finalized following the 1998 meeting of APEC S&T Ministers in Mexico City, Mexico. These concepts are shared and acknowledged by the APEC member economies as the basis for the development and implementation of IST programs within the region.


  1. Vision

Our vision for the 21st century is of a dynamic and prosperous Asia-Pacific region built on the development and application of industrial science and technology which improves quality of life while safeguarding the natural environment.


  1. Goals

By the year 2020 industrial science and technology policies and programs in the APEC region should achieve:


i)
enhanced economic growth, trade and investment opportunities;

ii)
better quality of life and a clean environment;

iii)
a well-balanced industrial structure which builds on the diversity of the region;

iv)
improved levels of scientific knowledge promoting economic activities,
particularly

business/private sector growth, as well as technological sophistication in the region;

  1. the smooth flow and application of information, technology and expertise;
  2. consistent and transparent policy measures in key areas such as industrial standards;
  3. enhanced links between government agencies, the private/business sector (including SMEs) and academic institutions engaged in collaborative industrial science and technological research and development; and
  4. efficient and effective support for industrial science and technology cooperation projects and programs.
  1. Non-binding Principles for effective IST collaboration

Recognizing the diversity in size, economic development and technological capacity of member economies, international collaboration in industrial science and technology should proceed on the following basis:


  1. joint activities and dialogue should support the vision and goals of the Action Program;
  2. there should be opportunities for all parties to join in regional multilateral research collaboration programs;

59


  1. contributions to and benefits from collaboration should be equitable, balanced and geared to members’ capabilities;
  2. projects should encourage complementary and collaborative public and business/private sector investments in the development and diffusion of technologies;
  3. collaborative activities should ensure, whenever possible, the active participation of SMEs;
  4. collaborative activities could be implemented throughout the full innovation cycle from basic research to pre-competitive industrial R&D;
  5. a consistent and transparent approach should be adopted to standards and standard setting activities, in order to facilitate technological flows; and
  6. collaborative activities should ensure that any intellectual property rights are protected and that the results and commercial benefits are allocated fairly.
  1. Priorities

The ISTWG will work on the following priorities with joint activities and dialogue identified in Sections 3 and 4 below, keeping in mind gender-related issues, to realize the Common Policy Concept of the Action Program. The Working Group will keep these activities under review in the light of experience and develop new or revised activities consistent with the vision, goals and principles of the Action Program.


The following key priorities have been drawn from the Common Policy Concept:


  1. Improved Flows of Technological Information and Technology

The flow of technological information and technology is critical for sowing the seeds of economic growth and technological innovation. This can include the trade and investment in technologies, with assurances of adequate protection of intellectual property and equitable allocation of results and commercial benefits. It is part icularly important to ensure that technological information and technology flows provide direct and tangible benefits to all sectors, especially SMEs.


  1. Improved Researcher Exchange and HRD in IST

Technological and industrial innovation will not occur at the regional, member economy or firm level if researcher exchange and the full human capacity of the workforce, management and research sectors is not geared to the needs of a changing industrial and economic context.


Specific strategies will focus on the expansion of researcher exchange, with due regard to skill development, and to education and training needs in industrial science and technology, complementing and supporting the work of the APEC HRD Working Group.


  1. Facilitation of Joint Research Projects

The increased costs and complexity of science and technology require new approaches in the region. The ISTWG will establish new mechanisms and processes for joint research on issues of concern. A number of existing collaboration programs provide potential models and new initiatives are being developed in discussions between member economies.


  1. Improved Transparency of Regulatory Frameworks

Member economies have identified the need for clarity and transparency in the regulatory framework affecting flows of technology and expertise. Reforms in this area are critical to ensuring innovation in the region. Work in this area will be linked to the work carried out by other APEC fora.


  1. Contribution to Sustainable Development

The ISTWG, in keeping with its vision statement, is concerned to ensure that the development and deployment of industrial science and technology contributes to sustainable development. Workshops


60


and symposiums will be helpful for sharing the information and current technologies necessary to ensure that the business/private sector in the region can introduce new technologies that not only prevent environmental degradation but also contribute to a better lifestyle for all people in the region.


  1. Enhanced Policy Dialogue and Review

There are major benefits to be gained by sharing information on the efficiency and effectiveness of alternative policy and program approaches. Actions will be implemented to facilitate a regular exchange

of views, and member economies are encouraged to develop policies by sharing knowledge and experience in these areas.


  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES
  1. Strengthen APEC Cooperation in Key Technologies

The rapid introduction of new generations of technology, the increasing complexity of these technologies, and the demand for speed-to-market introduce challenges to both the private sector and the research community in all APEC economies. The ISTWG recognizes that to meet these challenges, APEC economies must strengthen their cooperation in the development of key technologies. The ISTWG would achieve this goal through collaborative R&D initiatives, technology road mapping, technology foresight, the sharing of technological information and technology, and improvements in the clarity and transparency of regulatory frameworks affecting flows of technology and expertise. Initiatives would include APEC Technomart, with its focus on SMEs; continued support for the APEC Centre for Technology Foresight; specific projects and initiatives and projects to support the development and use

of key technologies such as advanced materials, nanotechnologies, industrial biotechnology (in agreement with ATCWG on agricultural biotechnology applications), environmental technologies, information and communication technologies.


  1. Connect Research and Innovation in APEC Economies

The need to strengthen connections within and across APEC economies between scientific research, the development of key technologies, and their application through innovation in the marketplace is critical to economic growth in the APEC region. The ISTWG will pursue this goal by strengthening collaboration between government, industry (especially SMEs), and the research community through development of technology diffusion initiatives which facilitate the transition from emerging technologies

to their application for new industries and other socioeconomic objectives. Information flows on science and technology among member economies will be achieved through the expanded use of ASTWeb, specialized side meetings designed to bring the developers and users of S&T together, and events such

as Technomart.


  1. Build Human Capacity for S&T for the New Economy

In the ‘New Economy’, knowledge is key. Recognizing that knowledge is embodied in people, the ISTWG will work towards the continuous development of the engineers, scientists, technicians and technologies needed for APEC member economies to secure economic growth in the New Economy. Initiatives will include S&T awareness in secondary schools (APEC Youth Science Festivals); training/skills development initiatives in critical areas of industrial S&T, environment and health; gender awareness and integration; res earcher exchanges/cooperation; fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industry; and adoption of distance learning technologies.


  1. Help Ensure the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases and Other Environmental

Initiatives


The ISTWG recognizes the need to address health challenges to improved quality of life, economic growth, and trade across the APEC region, and the importance of S&T in responding to health challenges. Priority will be given to collaborative activities designed to respond to the economic and human challenges posed by select target diseases in the region – whether naturally occurring or deliberately caused -- such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, influenza, dengue hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis


61


and a number of zoonotic enteric and other diseases. Emphasis will be given to the optimal use of electronic communication technologies and to the strengthening of existing regional training mechanisms, notably in laboratory technologies and field epidemiology. Close attention will be paid to existing global and regional intergovernmental disease control activities in order to ensure that APEC actions in that regard add value and synergy to activities currently under way. Analytic capacity of the economic impact of APEC cooperat ion in infectious disease prevention and control will be strengthened. ISTWG activities will draw upon the APEC Infectious Disease Strategy endorsed by leaders in 2001 and addressing six main areas for cooperative activity: electronic networking, surveillance, response, capacity building, cross-sector partnerships, and political and economic leadership.


  1. Addressing the Challenges of Environment and Sustainable Development through

Science, Technology and Innovation


Environmental challenges of the APEC region will be addressed through science, technology and innovation within a framework of sustainable industrial development. Initiatives will include cleaner production, environmental sustainability, natural disaster mitigation, climate change, resource productivity and conservation of biodiversity (except for conservation of plant and animal genetic resources in agriculture mentioned in the action program for agricultural technical cooperation).


Steps will be taken to implement the recommendations of the Cleaner Production Task Force. In particular, ISTWG will leverage the multiple new Cleaner Production promoting organizations that APEC helped to stimulate or reinforce and continue to implement the goals of the APEC Cleaner Production Strategy through dialogue and projects. ISTWG will also explore the possibility of ISTWG delegates carrying the cleaner production message and lessons learned to other multilateral organizations (e.g., UNEP/UNIDO, APRCP10) by actively participating in events as APEC representatives.


ISTWG will continue to encourage projects and share best-practices related to mitigation technologies for natural disasters (particularly earthquake, volcanic activity and weather-related phenomena).


Innovation initiatives will focus primarily on appropriate technology, methods and tools to enable SMEs

to adopt cleaner production practices. This will include cleaner supply chain management and incorporate appropriate application of advances in information technologies for design, communications, training and skills development. In this context, adoption of appropriate waste management methods will continue to be a priority with an emphasis on assisting APEC economies to improve water quality and urban air quality within a supportive legislative framework.


  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES

ISTWG member economies will exchange views and share knowledge and experience on Industrial Science and Technology -related issues, including their own IST policies and infrastructure, in order to advance the priorities of the ISTWG and its member economies.


The ISTWG will strengthen the dialogue on the industrial S&T policies of member economies in two specific ways. Firstly, the ISTWG will continue to include a policy dialogue on the S&T policies of member economies as a standard part of ISTWG plenary meetings. Secondly, the ISTWG will explore the organization of an annual APEC S&T Policy Forum which would bring together government, universities, and the private sector to discuss best practices and policy approaches to the S&T and innovation challenges facing the APEC region.


The ISTWG will continue to develop and strengthen indicators and statistics on the infrastructure, resources, and investments of member economies in IST and by industry sector which will assist the planning and implementation of cooperative activities.


10 United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization

(UNIDO), Asia Pacific Roundtable on Cleaner Production (APRCP)


62


The ISTWG will exchange information on the scientific and technological underpinnings and requirements of standards and regulations in order to promote and implement common standards across member economies in such areas as cleaner production, diseases surveillance, and environmental management. Collaboration and information sharing will be undertaken, as necessary, with the CTI Sub- Committee on Standards and Conformance, especially in regards to industrial standards systems and measurement laws.


63


ACTION PROGRAM FOR MARINE RESOURCE CONSERVATION


  1. INTRODUCTION

The use of the marine environment is essential to the economic viability of the economies in the Asia- Pacific Region. Fisheries and aquaculture products are major trade commodities, tourism is increasing and demands a clean and attractive environment, and the diversity of marine organisms has significant potential for new fisheries sustainable development and other economic benefits.


Marine environmental degradation has significant socio-economic costs in terms of risks to human health, impacts on fisheries resources and aquaculture development, effects on resource management and regulatory activities. As populations grow and problems intensify, a highly trained workforce will be needed to ensure marine resource conservation and sustainable development.


Rehabilitation of the marine environment will enhance trade opportunities, and marine environmental quality and resource conservation are important areas for business involvement and technology development throughout the region.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS
  1. Goals
    1. To seek reconciliation of economic growth with improved environmental outcomes, so as to achieve sustainable development.
    2. To enhance trade and investment in marine products while protecting the marine environment and its resources.
    3. To ensure continuing socio-economic benefits through maintenance of marine environmental quality.
    4. To overcome structural barriers in order to conserve marine bio-diversity and the integrity of ocean ecosystems.
  2. Strategies
    1. Development of marine resource conservation infrastructure.
    2. Transfer of technology through capacity building, training and education. iii) Good technological solutions.
    3. Informed planning through co-management. v) Policy and legal approaches.
  3. Major issues and key initiatives
    1. Integrated ocean and coastal zone management.
    2. Regional implementation of UNCED Agenda 21 (Oceans Chapter and other related chapters) recommendations in the APEC Region.
    3. Marine algae toxins (Red tides/harmful algae blooms).
  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES
  1. Directions for joint activities
    1. To demonstrate the value of integrating environmental and gender issues into economic decision-making.
    2. To make policy recommendations on policies, standards, certification, regulatory requirements, conformance assurance and other areas which will set the framework to aid trade and investment liberalization and facilitation under conditions that will ensure that resulting development and exploitation of resources is sustainable.

64


  1. To improve the flow of information on marine resource management and conservation to enhance APEC members’ access to developments across the region.
  2. To address both specific commodities and services in the marine resource sector that require action in order to facilitate trade and investment, and structural barriers in terms of environmental management deficiencies and transportation safety.
  3. To set priorities, based on feasibility of attaining effective results, and potential impact on trade and investment.
  1. Policies, standards and conformance for trade in marine commodities and services
    1. The MRCWG will review specific marine products and service sectors, and develop policy recommendations designed to enhance investment and liberalize trade in these. These will include the marine bioproducts, tourism, ocean engineering, pollution abatement, submarine mineral and energy, and fisheries and aquaculture sectors. This will include recommending a common basis for standards and conformance assurance mechanisms, where appropriate, to ensure transparency and clarity in the regulatory framework, ensure that the development and exploitation of marine resources is carried out in a sustainable manner, provide economic benefits to coastal communities, and ensure public safety.
    2. The MRCWG will implement a program that will provide the basis for complementary policies, standards and procedures to ensure that fisheries products entering the trade market in the APEC Region are not contaminated with algal toxins (completion 2003).
  2. Structural framework to ensure sustainable development of marine resources
    1. APEC has an important role to play in developing policies, standards and conformance to safeguard the environment on which the conservation and sustainable exploitation of marine resources depends. These include areas such as management of land-based sources of pollution and critical ecosystems, energy and mineral exploration and production in the marine environment, marine transportation, and emergency response. It also provides a vehicle for economic and technical cooperation in marine environmental research, and the development of human resources associated with the application of engineering, technological and other specialized skills.
    2. The MRCWG, on a continuing basis, will identify opportunities to promote economic and technical cooperation among members in the marine resource conservation sector, in areas such as planning and economic assessment skills, vessel design and shipboard safety equipment, spill response technology and infrastructure, pollution abatement and treatment technology, was te disposal technology, biological resource assessment, oceanography and human risk assessment, to improve the overall effectiveness of expertise and technical capacity in APEC (continuing).
  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES

In light of the diversity of the marine resource conservation issues, dialogues will be promoted to share scientific and technical information in such areas as human resource development in management, monitoring, analysis and research among the APEC members , to identify and assess serious environmental issues, and to develop practical, action-oriented approaches to maintaining marine environmental quality, through:


  1. continuing activities of the Marine Resource Conservation Working Group;
  2. collaboration as appropriate with other APEC bodies such as the Energy, Fisheries, Tourism and

Transportation Working Groups, to avoid duplication and create synergism of common interest;

  1. making use of existing multilateral and bilateral marine fora and developing collaboration with them

if and as appropriate, to avoid duplication, to benefit from their experience, and to identify opportunities for complementary activities; and

  1. developing relevant links with the business/private sector, for example as related to the appropriate exploitation of marine resources for commercial or tourism purposes.

65


ACTION PROGRAM FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES


  1. INTRODUCTION

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Action Program contributes to the formulation of the APEC Action Agenda by creating a program that pursues APEC objectives of relevance to SMEs. In the context of the overall APEC philosophy of trade liberalisation, facilitation and economic cooperation, the SME Action Program seeks to foster the objectives, as stated in the Bogor Declaration, of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region by no later than 2010 for industrialised economies and

2020 for developing economies, as well as economic and technical cooperation towards achieving sustainable growth in the region.


Role and Importance of SMEs


The Asia Pacific region is increasing its share of world trade – growing from 37% in 1983 to 44% in

1993. To a large extent, this reflects the rapid growth in intra-APEC trade. Between 1989 and 1993, the value of trade by APEC economies rose by about $US1 trillion, and almost 80 per cent of this increase was due to greater levels of trade between APEC members.


In order to secure sustainable economic growth, it is vital to promote the growth of a strong SME sector

in the APEC region.


SMEs provide a critical engine of growth, vitality and innovation in the region. They have the ability to respond flexibly to technological innovation, and the diverse and demanding nature of consumer needs. These qualities make building a strong SME sector of central importance in maintaining Asia-Pacific dynamism into the 21st century. Contingent upon enhanced competitiveness and the development of the necessary human resources, SMEs are well positioned to take advantage of the continuing liberalisation

of regional trade and investment, and become a driving force behind regional development.


The SME Action Program underlines the strong contribution of SMEs to economic activity within the

APEC region, particularly relating to intra-regional trade and investment.


SMEs make up well over 90% of all enterprises in the region, contribute between 30-60% of GDP, and are a source of about 35% of the region’s exports.


SMEs also play an important role in creating employment, covering between 32-84% of the employment

in individual APEC economies, and are major contributors to employment growth.


While SMEs are important across the APEC region, there are differences in the role of SMEs in the various economies. The SME Action Program seeks to utilize the diversity among SMEs to attain complementarities that will bring about more efficient production and greater employment opportunities, and be of mutual benefit to member economies.


66


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS
  1. Goals

Members aim to maintain and develop SME dynamism by fostering a conducive environment in areas such as human resources development, information access, technology and technology sharing, financing, and market access, thus allowing SMEs to exploit their creativity and mobility to the greatest possible extent on the basis of market principles.


Our vision is of a dynamic and prosperous Asia-Pacific region built on:


  1. an SME sector that is recognised by member economies, both individually and collectively, as a key driving force contributing to economic prosperity in the APEC region, and as central to the APEC Action Agenda;
  2. SMEs that are dynamic, innovative, flexible, strong employment and wealth creators, responsive

to the demands of the international marketplace, globally focused, and interactive across regions, to the mutual understanding and benefit of all member economies;

  1. member economies that understand the opportunities and constraints facing SMEs in the regional economy; that work cooperatively to remove impediments to the development and growth of the sector, and share their knowledge and experience in regard to SME policies; and
  2. progress against milestones in the five priority areas (as identified in the SME Action Program) where SMEs face greatest difficulties, resulting in a sector that has the management skills, access to information, technology, capital, and access to markets it needs to promote wealth and employment creation shared amongst all member economies.
  1. Basic Principles

SMEs are engaging dynamically in cross-border economic activity and playing an increasingly important role in heightening economic complementarities in the regional economy.


It is therefore important for member economies to develop a set of basic principles on desirable SME

policies, including the following:


  1. Members will take account of the different needs of APEC economies arising from differing levels of economic development.
  2. Activities undertaken as part of the SME Action Program will be transparent, cooperative and of mutual benefit to member economies.
  3. Members will work to ensure the availability and transparency of information on their respective

SME policies to help improve the SME policies of other members.

  1. Members recognise the importance for policy development of listening to SMEs and understanding their needs, to ensure that policy remains responsive and relevant, and will involve the business/private sector in activities under the SME Action Program.
  2. Members will develop and implement non-discriminatory market -oriented SME policies to maximise SMEs’ responses to market mechanisms, and so provide the most favourable environment for SME development, growth and economic activity.
  3. Members recognise the importance of working with other APEC Working Groups and Committees, official APEC observers, and other international organisations, in the interests of SMEs in the region.
  1. Priorities

Member economies recognise that SMEs have particular advantages, and face particular difficulties, in

an increasingly free and open trading environment. At the first APEC SME Ministerial meeting, held in Osaka, Japan, in October 1994, it was agreed that APEC’s role in support of SMEs should focus first on addressing the areas where SMEs face greatest difficulties.


67


The SME Action Program addresses the common difficulties faced by SMEs in all APEC economies in the five priority areas of:


  1. Human Resources Development. ii) Information Access.
  2. Technology and Technology Sharing. iv) Financing.
  3. Market Access.
  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES

In order to address the issues identified within each of these priority areas, members have agreed to take cooperative action. The items for action have been prepared in the context of the recommendations

of the Second Experts Meeting on SMEs and work being conducted by other APEC Working Groups and Committees. The action items serve as a tool to focus on the specific steps to meet identified milestones in each of the priority areas and so achieve the vision for SMEs. We recognize that policies should focus not only on individual enterprises but also on groups of enterprises and cooperatives.


  1. Human Resources Development

Human resources development (HRD) is the basis for the development of all enterprises. As SMEs become more involved in a global economy, it will be increasingly important for them to learn about and adapt to different cultures and business practices. The fostering of entrepreneurial high-quality managers and technicians from the limited resources available is therefore a top-priority issue.


  1. Policy Objectives/Milestones

Member economies will expand opportunities for the development of SME human resource capabilities

(i.e., entrepreneurship, business and managerial skills, technical capabilities, technology sharing, linguistic skills, understanding of different cultures, and knowledge of business practices and legal requirements in different markets) in the region by developing SME relevant training projects, as well as supporting the training conducted by SMEs themselves. Member economies will ensure that both women and men benefit from the development of SME human resources capabilities which are designed

in accordance with the new challenges and opportunities brought forward by the new economy.


By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of improved human resource capabilities, particularly in the areas of managerial and technical skills and technology sharing.


  1. Action Items

Member economies will take action in the area of HRD to enhance SME entrepreneurial, technical and managerial skills for both women and men. Action items agreed by member economies are:


  1. To place greater emphasis on capacity building measures relating to HRD, including a special focus on reaching women with these measures.
  2. To inculcate the culture of entrepreneurship and business skills among the young women and men, and to work with the relevant APEC fora to integrate entrepreneurship and busines s skills into school curricula.
  3. To develop the cooperation programs in accordance with the steps that have been outlined in the 2001 evolving cooperation initiative for SME and new business support.
  4. To consider opening up the domestic training programs to member economies, on a voluntary basis, and to include a list of trainers that are available to conduct training across the APEC region.
  5. To promote enhanced skills development for new entrepreneurs and expanding consumer confidence through consumer education activities tailor-made with interested APEC member economies under the 1999 Consumer Education and Protection Initiative.

68



  1. Information Access

As information becomes an increasingly important global commodity, SMEs are finding that the success or failure of a project hinges on the collection, processing and utilization of relevant sex - disaggregated information.


  1. Policy Objectives/Milestones

Member economies will promote the development of user-friendly and efficient information access systems that allow SMEs (whether owned by women or men) to gather the information they need on government policies, technology, the market, potential business partners. There are two broad issues to consider: the role of governments as ni formation brokers facilitating access to information, and the development of and access to information technologies that are appropriate to the needs of women and men owned SMEs,


By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of improved information flows, particularly in the areas of government policies, technology, the market, and potential business partners. They will exploit developments in information technology, and have timely and improved access to the information that they need — information that is accurate, user-friendly, and

of high quality.


  1. Action Items

Member economies will take action in the area of information access to promote the development of user-friendly and efficient information access systems, and the dissemination of accurate and timely information that will meet SMEs’ needs, especially in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including Electronic Commerce, as envisaged in the e-APEC strategy. Action items agreed by member economies are:


  1. To place greater emphasis on the development of infrastructure concerning ICT.
    1. To take into account that future work program on the use of ICT and E-commerce be focused on definite sector of SMEs and to work with the relevant APEC fora in addressing this issue.
    2. To give priority to hasten the work on strengthening the regulatory and security measures for E- commerce.
iv)
To consider contributing to the further development of the BizApec.com website.

v)
To coordinate with relevant APEC Fora including the APEC TELWG and the
Electronic

Commerce Steering Group in expediting the on-going work on reducing the costs of access to the Internet.

  1. To implement the relevant recommendations arising from the ‘APEC 2000 SME Electronic

Commerce Workshop’.

  1. To undertake the ‘2001 E-Commerce Symposium on SMEs’ initiative.

viii) To increase the supply of qualified small business counsellors by launching a ‘Training and

Certification Program for Small Business Counsellors’ across the APEC Region.


  1. Technology and Technology Sharing

For the mobility and entrepreneurship of SMEs to fuel more effectively the economic dynamism of the region, SMEs themselves need to actively participate in development and commercialization of new products and technologies that will boost productivity. However, many SMEs experience problems in this area because they lack managerial capability and information on available technologies, have a limited number of technicians, and little financial leeway.


  1. Policy Objectives/Milestones

Member economies will foster the desire of SMEs to improve their own technological and managerial capabilities by:


69



  1. improving technical training and technical guidance for SMEs;
  2. developing R&D in technology areas important to supporting and other industries;
  3. assisting the development efforts of SMEs;
  4. improving opportunities for SMEs to share in new technologies; and
  5. improving technology management and business practices.

Moreover, in order to foster the region’s SMEs, member economies will work together to share policy know-how, and ensure constructive and practical guidance in improving matchmaking capabilities among firms interested in acquiring and/or sharing technology. In addition to APEC policy dialogue and network creation, this involves the strengthening of bilateral policy dialogue and cooperative projects.


By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of the adaptation of existing technologies and rapid take-up of new technologies, improved flows of technological information, and improved technical capabilities. The relationship between large companies and SMEs will be important in facilitating this development.


  1. Action Items

Member economies will take action in the area of technology and technology sharing to foster the desire

of SMEs to improve their own technological capabilities. Action items agreed by member economies are:


program and activities for the Center’s operation and sustainability as a resource centre with capabilities in: information networking; the mobilization of training opportunities for the absorption and upgrading of technical know-how; and the organization of SME-targeted activities

to syndicate technology transfer projects in the spirit of intra-regional cooperation and business internationalization.


  1. Financing

SMEs do not generally have as much access to finance as large enterprises, and have inadequate information on the various sources and mechanisms to secure finance for their development in some member economies. Furthermore, there are still legal barriers to women’s access to financing and ownership of assets.

.

  1. Policy Objectives/Milestones

Member economies will work to improve the financing environment for SMEs and reduce SME financing costs.


By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of improved access, on reasonable terms, to debt and equity finance.


  1. Action Items

Member economies will take action in the area of financing to improve the financing environment for

SMEs and reduce SME financing costs. It is recognized that financing issues are critical concerns for

all SMEs, micro enterprises, family and women-owned business. Action items agreed by member economies are:


  1. To enhance the managerial skills and capacity building of SMEs to enable them gain better access to financial and capital markets.

70


  1. To establish an APEC database to disseminate sex disaggregated information on start -up companies and venture capital.
  2. To cooperate with APEC fora including the Investment Expert Group in establishing the APEC

database.

  1. To take action to promote the development of capital markets in the region; and
  2. To engage in parallel APEC Finance Ministerial Process where policy discussion on SME

finances issues occurs.


  1. Market Access

Market access is critical to the globalization efforts of SMEs and their ability to take full advantage of the post-Bogor environment. It is also recognized that appropriate policy on encouraging the growth of SMEs plays significant on strengthening and functioning of markets.


  1. Policy Objectives/Milestones

Member economies will expand SME economic opportunities by further liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment to enable SMEs to fulfil their potential. SMEs need accurate and timely information on foreign markets, market opportunities, cultural and business practices, and regulations specific to these markets.


By the year 2020, SMEs will be increasingly globalizes and internationally competitive as a result of being better able to identify and meet demands for goods and services across APEC economies, and having improved access to timely and quality information about market opportunities.


  1. Action Items

Member economies will take action in the area of market access to expand SME economic opportunities by further liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment to enable SMEs to fulfil their potential. Action items agreed by member economies are:


Management’; ‘APEC SME Profile 2000’; ‘APEC SME Business Matching and Advice Program’;

‘APEC SME Business Network Promotion Forum’; ‘2001 Business Partnership Initiative for

SMEs’; and ‘2001 Operational Environment of APEC SMEs after China’s Accession to WTO’.


  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES

To develop SMEs, APEC members recognize the importance of sharing their knowledge and experience

in regard to SME policies, cooperating (as appropriate) to enhance each member’s policies in the light of common policy concepts, and providing opportunities to implement cooperative projects for the fostering

of SMEs.


Policy dialogue between members has been promoted through SME Ministerial meetings and Small and

Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG).


Through such policy dialogue, the SME Action Program provides an ongoing consultative and practical approach to the commercial needs of the SME sector, an approach that is relevant to the needs of SMEs in the region.


The SME agenda cuts across many of the activities of APEC in its other working groups and committees. The SME Action Program has been prepared in the context of this work. It acknowledges and complements the initiatives of the other APEC working groups and committees.


71


Acknowledging the work done by other international organizations in SME policy development and recognizing the need to avoid duplication and build on best practices, member economies will seek opportunities to exchange information with non-APEC fora.


  1. Execution and Review Mechanism

Member economies recognize the importance of evaluating and reporting on the progress and results of the implementation of the individual action items in the SME Action Program. The SMEWG will therefore continue to monitor and review action items under the SME Action Program and its differential impacts

on women and men.


SME Ministers will meet from time to time, as necessary, to maintain the momentum of ongoing policy dialogue and to review progress under the SME Action Program.


72


ACTION PROGRAM FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION


  1. INTRODUCTION

Given the critical role of the telecommunications and information infrastructure in strengthening the multilateral trading system, enhancing trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, and intensifying development cooperation, the Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TELWG)

is making this sector a model in achieving these goals set by APEC Leaders at Bogor in 1994, and therefore has adopted the following Action Program.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

In keeping with the Leaders’ instructions to ministers and officials to begin immediately to develop detailed proposals for implementing their decision, the APEC Ministers responsible for Telecommunications and Information industry gathered in Seoul Korea, in May, 1995 and adopted the following objectives and principles for the Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure:


  1. APII Objectives
    1. To facilitate the construction and expansion of an interconnected and interoperable information infrastructure in the region.
  1. To encourage technical cooperation among member economies in the development of the


infrastructure.

iii)
To promote free and efficient flow of information.

iv)
To further the exchange and development of human resources.

v)
To encourage the creation of a policy and regulatory environment favorable to the development of


the Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure.

a.


APII Principles


i)

Encouraging member economies in the construction of domestic telecommunications and


information infrastructure based on their own reality.

ii)
Promoting a competition driven environment.

iii)
Encouraging business/private sector investment and participation.

iv)
Creating a flexible policy and regulatory framework.

v)
Intensifying cooperation among member economies.

vi)
Narrowing the infrastructure gap between the developed and the industrializing economies.

vii)
Ensuring open and non-discriminatory access to public telecommunications networks for all


information providers and users in accordance with domestic laws and regulations.

viii)
Ensuring universal provision of and access to public telecommunications services.

ix)
Promoting diversity of content , including cultural and linguistic diversity.

x)
Ensuring the protection of intellectual property rights, privacy and data security.

a.


Priorities


i)

The Ministers responsible for Telecommunications and Information directed the Working Group


to develop plans to improve the information infrastructure with the aim of facilitating effective


cooperation, free trade and investment, and sustainable development of the region.

ii)
The ministers directed that the TELWG expedite work in three areas:

– trade in International Value-Added Network Services (IVANs);

– harmonisation of Procedures for Equipment Certification;

– mutual Recognition Arrangements for Conformity Assessment.

  1. in addition, the TELWG project groups have the following continuing priorities:

– promote better understanding of the telecommunications and information infrastructure and regulatory environment through data compilation activities.


73


– facilitate increased trade flows through electronic commerce.

– promote the rapid construction of the Asia-Pacific Information Infrastructure.

– promote human resources development through a series of training courses applicable to all

APEC member economies.

  1. promote technical cooperation, such as joint research and technology transfer.
  1. APEC JOINT ACTIVITIES

Economies, through the TELWG, and through their own actions, will implement the Action Plan and policy principles approved by the four APEC Ministerial Meetings on Telecommunications and Information Industry.


Specifically, the economies will undertake the following:


  1. Liberalisation and Investment Issues

Development and implementation of plans (issue-specific guidelines) for the telecommunications information sector to achieve the Bogor objectives of trade and investment liberalisation and trade and investment facilitation. They will:


  1. Conform, where appropriate, to the Guidelines on Trade in International Value-Added Network Services (IVANS) and generally conform, where appropriate, to the Guidelines on the regional Harmonization of Equipment Certification Procedures.
  2. Continue to work to harmonize administrative procedures governing certification of customer telecommunications equipment.
  3. Accelerate the pace of implementation of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Conformity

Assessment for Telecommunications Equipment (MRA).

  1. Foster the development of effective policies that support competitive markets in the domestic and international telecommunications and information industries.
  2. Foster discussion between business/private sector and governments on appropriate means to assess and reward the value of products and services exchanged in the provision of converged Internet services among APEC economies, consistent with the APEC Principles on International Charging Arrangements for Internet Services.
  3. Implement, within voluntary time frames the APEC Interconnection Principles and consult on the need for further discussions on interconnection.

The following TELWG projects and activities support these objectives:



Interconnection Task Group.

Internet Issues Task Group.

MRA Task Group.

Regulatory Structures Project.

LSG Collective Action Plan.

Convergence Roundtable.

MRA Support Project.

MRA Management System.

I.


Business facilitation

  1. Share information on the state of the telecommunications regulatory environment and

infrastructure development in each APEC economy in order to improve business/private sector access to related policies, regulations and other information.

  1. Work to ensure that policy and regulatory environments better foster the uptake of e-commerce.
    1. Promote electronic commerce through seminars, studies on electronic data interchange application development, and experiments on the interoperability and suitability for electronic commerce of various networks.

The following TELWG projects and activities support these objectives:


74


I. Deve lopment Cooperation


  1. Work to encourage universal access to internet services, to bridge the digital divide at the domestic, regional and global levels and to cooperate and collaborate with the business/private sector in this effort.
  2. Implement the APII Test-Bed Projects, including the demonstration projects for interoperability and inter-connectability.

iii) Encourage the testing and dissemination of new technologies to achieve the APII. The following TELWG projects and activities support these objectives:

I. Human Resource Development Acti vities


  1. Promote human resources development by means such as holding training courses on privatization and competition in telecommunications and information industries, and working towards a distance learning pilot project for experts in this area.
  2. Continue personnel exchange programme in the field of telecommunications and information by encouraging more participation from member economies in order to support the implementation

of APII action plan.


The following TELWG projects and activities support these objectives:


  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES

The TELWG has engaged in dialogues on member economies’ policies and activities since its inception

in 1990. Since 1991, the working group has issued a series of publications on the state of members’ telecommunications infrastructure and regulatory environment. At the TELWG meetings, members supplement these periodic publications with six-month regulatory updates, which are included in the Chairman’s report.


Interconnection has been identified as an important policy issue about which member economies will exchange information. The information will be included in the TELWG’s six-monthly regulatory policy updates and in the published volumes on the state of APEC member economies. In-depth discussion of this and other policy issues, such as universal service, are planned for the near-term.


75


ACTION PROGRAM FOR TOURISM


  1. PREAMBLE

Given the growing importance of the tourism industry in promoting economic growth and social development in the Asia Pacific region, the Tourism Working Group (TWG) has developed an action program which has as its focus the long term environmental and social sustainability of the industry. It requires that APEC member economies give serious attention to addressing the impediments to tourism movements and investment, and the liberalisation of trade in services associated with travel and tourism.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

Consistent with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Declaration of Common Resolve from Bogor, Indonesia, the TWG is committed to working towards:


  1. removing barriers to tourism movements and investment and liberalizing trade in services associated with tourism;
  2. developing and implementing the concepts of economic, environmental and social sustainability to tourism development;
  3. facilitating and promoting human resources development;
    1. promoting an enlargement of the role of the private sector in tourism development, through investment opportunities, public and private joint ventures, and linkages with companies and private sector institutions;
    2. developing cooperation and programs in the areas of telecommunication, transportation, passenger facilitation, financial and other information-based services related to trade in tourism; and
    3. sharing of information on the nature and extent of the tourism industry in the region, and member economies experience in its development.
  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES

The APEC TWG’s joint activities, as agreed in the Seoul Declaration on an APEC Tourism Charter at the First APEC Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in July 2000, will include the following items:


  1. Removal of Impediments to Tourism Business and Investment
    1. In achieving this goal, the TWG will focus its work on the completion of the TWG Project titled ‘Tourism Impediments Study (Phase 1)’.
  2. Increased Mobility of Visitors and Demand for Tourism Goods and Services in the APEC Region
    1. A number of TWG initiatives will contribute in progressing this Policy Goal, including the projects ‘Best Business Practices in Accessible Tourism to Travelers with Restricted Physical Abilities, including Senior Citizens’ and ‘The Application of E-commerce in Tourism SMEs’. Other work will include the facilitation of information flows to consumers through the establishment of an ‘APEC Tourism Information Network’ (also under Policy Goal 4), ‘Best Business Practices in Health Issues’ (particularly air transportation), a Framework for Classification of Festivals and Events and a project focussing on the ‘Im provement of Tourism Standards in the APEC region’.
  3. Sustainable Management of Tourism Outcomes and Impacts
    1. The policy action plan includes the endorsement the APEC/PATA Code of Conduct for

Tourism. It seeks to protect the social integrity of host communities with particular attention

to the implications of gender in the management and development of tourism In addition, the


76


projects, ‘Training for Sustainable Development in the Tourism Industry’ and ‘Public-Private

Partnership for Sustainable Tourism’, will contribute to the achievement of this goal.


  1. Enhanced Recognition and Understanding of Tourism as a Vehicle for Economic and

Social Development


  1. The TWG will focus on the development of three projects that directly pertain to this goal:

‘Best Practices on Development of Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSAs)’; the development of an ‘APEC Tourism Information Network’ and an ‘APEC Tourism Research Network’. Work will also be undertaken, through a survey, to gauge each Economy’s position in relation to the development of TSAs and to help in determining the hurdles to wider implementation of TSAs.

  1. The TWG will continue to work with the WTO to ensure the regular collection and dissemination of tourism statistics and data within the APEC region. The TWG will also undertake an investigation into Member Economies’ Tourism Forecasting Capabilities and consider options for enhancing these.
  1. Other Priority Actions include:
    1. Development and updating of each member economy’s Individual Action Plan for

Tourism (IAP).

  1. Agreement and implementation of a TWG Collective Action Plan for Tourism (CAP).

iii) Pursuance of the three deliverables approved by APEC Tourism Ministers in July 2000 –

‘Sustainable Management of Tourism Outcomes’, ‘Establishment of a Tourism

Information Network’ and the ‘Tourism Satellite Accounts’.

iv) Commencement of a number of other projects which will contribute to tourism development in the APEC region.


  1. Public-Business/Private Sector Cooperation

In its activities the TWG is mindful that there are a number of other organizations working to encourage tourism development in the region, including: the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); the World Tourism Organisation (WTO); the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC); the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); and is, therefore, committed to working cooperatively with them to avoid duplication of efforts. The TWG is also committed to working cooperatively with other APEC working groups where areas of interest impact on tourism development.


  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES

Through its policies and activities, the TWG will endeavour:


  1. to facilitate the roles of the business/private sector in tourism development;
    1. to urge the realization of promoting and enlarging the role of the business/private sector in tourism industry including strengthening the role of small and medium enterprises, and
    2. to urge initiatives of developing economies, members may consider human resource development in tourism sectors for the developing member economies.

77


ACTION PROGRAM FOR TRADE PROMOTION


  1. INTRODUCTION

To contribute to the sustained economic development and improved standards of living of all the people

of the Asia Pacific region, the APEC Working Group on Trade Promotion (WGTP) agrees to promote the dynamism of intra-regional trade through the activities outlined in this action program.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS
  1. Goals
    1. Promotion of intra-regional trade by providing expanded trade opportunities.
    2. Promotion of mutual understanding of the trade promotion measures of member economies.
      1. Encouragement of participation in the WGTP activities from the industrial and business/private sectors, including trade promotion organizations, by absorbing their expertise and experience.
  2. Basic Principles
  1. Shared Responsibility

The sustainable development and improved standards of living in the region is the responsibility of all member economies.


  1. Common Interest/Common Benefit

Many problems associated with trade promotion related issues are common to all APEC members. There is a common benefit in sharing experiences relating to the resolution of these issues.


  1. GATT/WTO Consistency

Member economies will ensure that the activities of WGTP are fully consistent with all the provisions as well as the spirit of the GATT/WTO Agreement.


  1. Equal Partnership and Mutual Respect

While ensuring mutual respect by recognizing the divergent conditions of member economies, all member economies will equally participate in and benefit from the promotion of intra-regional trade.


  1. Priorities
    1. Promotion of trade-related activities in goods and services. ii) Trade financing.
    2. Trade skills and training. iv) Trade information.
      1. Cooperation between the business/private sector and government agencies, including trade promotion organizations.
  1. JOINT ACTIVITIES

The WGTP will work to expand and improve the content of its activities to include gender issues and to achieve tangible results, making positive efforts in new areas such as creating a trade-friendly environment.


  1. Trade Promotion Activities

78


The following activities will be conducted on a regular basis over the short to medium-term:


  1. APEC trade fairs, with sectoral focuses and the APEC Food System in mind, will be held to promote intra-regional business opportunities.
  2. Seminars involvi ng the business/private sector will be held to discuss common intra-regional trade issues, including specialized sessions such as sustainable development, gender integration and trade in food products.
  3. TPOs of member economies should be represented as appropriate at WGTP meeting to enhance intra-regional linkages and cooperation.
  1. Trade Financing

The following events will be held on a regular basis over the short to medium-term:


  1. Seminars will be held on trade financing, covering topics such as export insurance, risk management and credit guarantee funds for SMEs.
  2. Workshops on venture capital will be held to exchange views on the best practices among member economies.
  1. Tra de Skills and Training to Foster Trade Promotion-related HRD

The following activities will be conducted over the short to medium term:


  1. Trade-related training courses/workshops/seminars will be implemented to cultivate the skills and expertise in both business and public sectors to help boost trade development in the region.
  2. A mechanism will be developed for the exchange of trade promotion experts
    1. Special training program will be designed to promote the gender integration in the trade promotion field.
  1. Promotion of Information Sharing to Foster a Trade Friendly Environment

Launched in 1998, APECNet features business matching services and two-way hyperlinks to the trade promotion organizations of member economies. Future enhancements will include tender announcements, franchise opportunities, joint ventures, directory of APEC trade shows and facilitating strategic alliances at the corporate level. Efforts will be made to promote the site to business/private sector. Meanwhile, in order to develop a trade-friendly environment, the Working Group will encourage the business/private sector to use BizAPEC website to get information on trade environment in each economy.


The surveys on the core characteristics of trade promotion organizations have been conducted to promote a mutual understanding among member economies, on the roles, functions, and activities of trade agencies in the APEC region.


In order to develop a trade-friendly environment, the Working Group will encourage the business/private sector to use BizAPEC website to get information on trade environment in each economy.


  1. Business/Private Sector Participation in WGTP activities

The following activities will be conducted over the short to medium-term:


To address the needs and concerns of the business/private sector, including SMEs, in the face of globalization and e-commerce development, close consultation with business/private sector representatives will be maintained in the process of devising and implementing WGTP work projects. Furthermore, the key participants and beneficiaries of the WGTP projects of events, besides government officials, will continue to be people from the business/private sector. A joint video-conference of government and business/private sector representatives will be held in conjunction with WGTP meeting(s) as and when necessary, in order to ensure that the experience and expertise of the business/private sector are reflected in the WGTP’s activities.


79



  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES

The role of the APEC WGTP meetings is to allow members to exchange views on the trade promotion measures which each is applying, thus promoting common understanding among Members. The expertise and experience of Members’ industrial and business/private sectors and trade promotion organization will be reflected in these discussions and put to use in future activi ties.


80


ACTION PROGRAM FOR TRANSPORTATION


  1. INTRODUCTION

Transportation plays an important role in the economic and social well being of each economy in the APEC region. The ability of a transportation system to efficiently handle the movement of people and goods is critical in order to maximise economic productivity, facilitate trade, and contribute to the mobility of people. The APEC Transportation Working Group (TPTWG) is committed to achieving the goals set by the APEC Leaders at Bogor, Indonesia, in 1994 for the transport sector.


  1. COMMON POLICY CONCEPTS

APEC economies are striving, through economic co-operation, to enhance the prospects of an accelerated, balanced and equitable economic growth in the Asia- Pacific region and throughout the world as well. A strategic, coherent and comprehensive approach is required, embracing the three pillars

of sustainable growth, equitable development and economic stability, as stated in the Bogor Declaration.


The development of the transportation sector in the APEC region should promote equitable economic development in the APEC region to help people of all economies in the region share the benefits of economic growth.


The action program is prepared as a means of organising the activities in the transport sector to be undertaken in accelerating the process of intensifying development co-operation and enhancing trade and investment liberalisation in the Asia-Pacific region.


As a result of recommendations made by the APEC Ministers and endorsed by Leaders in their meeting

in November 1994 in Indonesia, APEC Ministers in charge of Transportation met in Washington, DC, USA, in June, 1995 and adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement . That statement, together with the statement arising from the second meeting of Transportation Ministers in Victoria, BC, Canada, in June

1997, as well as the Transportation Working Group Strategic Direction adopted in November 1999, provide the basis on which the objectives, principles, and priorities for transportation for the Asia-Pacific region are drawn.


The current priorities of the Transportation Working Group, expressed by Transportation Ministers, are:


  1. To facilitate the harmonisation, coordination and transparency of transport policies, regulations, procedures and standards;
  2. To promote timely rational investment in the region’s transport infrastructure;
    1. To encourage efficient use of existing ni frastructure through the application of appropriate trade and transport facilitation techniques;
  3. To promote transport system safety and security in the region;
    1. To promote on the basis of fair and equitable access to markets, a more competitive transportation operating environment, and to cooperate to address institutional constraints affecting the provision of transportation services in the region;
    2. To facilitate improvement in productivity, skills and efficiency of labour and management in the transport industry.
  1. APEC JOINT ACTIVITIES

Member economies, through the TPTWG, and through their own actions, will implement a range of actions aimed at achieving in the most concrete and ambitious way the priorities identified by Ministers and adopted in the Transportation Joint Ministerial Statements of 1995, 1997 and 2002. The TPTWG will also continue with projects started by the group and develop new projects that accord with Ministers statements and its strategic direction as required.


Specifically, the economies will undertake the following:


81


  1. Respond to the Leaders ‘Auckland Challenge’ of 1999, by implementing the eight steps for more competitive air services on a voluntary basis and by identifying further steps to liberalize air services in accordance with the Bogor Goals, and provide annual progress reports to Leaders through SOM;
  2. Develop by 2005 an efficient, safe and competitive operating environment for maritime transport and the ports sector in the region through improved transparency of maritime and port policies;
  3. Complete the ‘Transportation Road Transport Harmonisation Project’ and encourage the development of mutual recognition arrangements for certification of automotive product and harmonisation of economies’ vehicle regulations through co-operation within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe;
  4. Improve by 2005 port efficiency and capacities in the region through the exchange of information and expertise among port experts and programs;
  5. Develop by 2005 guidelines, standards and provisional options associated with an integrated transport system for the improvement or elimination of ‘bottlenecks’ in the region;
  6. Seek to eliminate the requirement for paper documents (both regulatory and institutional) for the key messages relevant to international transport and trade as soon as practicable by

2005;

  1. Implement the action plan on ‘Intelligent Transport Systems’ (ITS) to promote co-operation in

ITS technology and standards ;

  1. Continue work to address aviation and maritime safety deficiencies in the region and propose recommendations for improvement;
  2. Develop by 2005 a plan to facilitate the implementation of satellite navigation and communications systems in the region;
  3. Implement the Framework for the Integration of Women in APEC and identify initiatives for the full participation of women in the transportation sector;
  4. Continue the seafarers training project to meet seafarers’ training needs in the APEC region;
    1. Consider by 2005 measures to promote transparency in regulations, resolve differences in conformity assessment and facilitate the mobility of transport personnel by encouraging the mutual recognition of professional qualifications;
    2. Identify by 2005/2010 the intermodal skills needed within APEC member economies and suggest methods of developing training programmes;
    3. Eliminate barriers to a more competitive transportation operating environment across all modes, ensuring safe and sustainable transport complying with international safety and security standards;
    4. Promote economic and technical cooperation especially for developing economies, to assist them in achieving the Bogor Goals;
    5. Promote measures, taking into account advancements in technology, to enhance safety, security, environmental protection and energy efficiency;
      1. Build human capacity in productivity, skills and efficiency of labor and management in the transport sector.

Additional actions will be developed and implement ed by the TPTWG to continually update its efforts to achieve the objectives established in the Bogor Declaration, APEC Leaders and Ministers Statements, Transportation Ministers’ Joint Ministerial Statements, and the group’s Strategic Direction.


  1. DIALOGUE ON MEMBER ECONOMIES’ POLICIES/ACTIVITIES

The Transportation Working Group has engaged in dialogue on member economies’ transportation policies and activities since its establishment in 1992. During each plenary session of the TPTWG, economies provide information on recent developments in their respective transport sectors. Economies are urged to voluntarily report the transport elements of their economies Individual Action Plans, and a link exists between the TPTWG Website and the IAPs on the APEC Secretariat Website.


The TPTWG, in conjunction with its regular meetings, conducts appropriate seminars as a forum of dialogue among member economies, including both the public and business/private sectors, on specific transportation issues aimed at identifying problems and opportunities. The TPTWG has also sought guest participation from international organisations and industry associations in the transport sector.


82



The APEC Transportation Ministers at their first meeting in Washington, DC, USA, stressed the need to continue a dialogue among themselves to further promote mutual understanding of transportation issues

of common interest and ensure the implementation of the identified priorities for co-operation and action. Similarly in 1997, they instructed the TPTWG to increase business/private sector participation as well

as involve ABAC and PECC and give careful consideration to their recommendations on transport issues. At the 3rd Transportation Ministerial Meeting, the program provided an opportunity for industry representatives from all sectors of the transportation industry to interact directly with Ministers.


83


AsianLII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback
URL: http://www.asianlii.org/apec/other/agrmt/aapoaa2002u319