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e-APEC Strategy  

The revolution in information and communication technology (ICT) has created unprecedented opportunities to form a new style of economy with new forms of markets, higher levels of productivity and new demands for knowledge, entrepreneurship and innovation. Accordingly, various APEC fora advance a comprehensive set of initiatives to assist Member Economies to leverage developments in ICT into increased economic growth.

In 2000 APEC announced an
Action Agenda for the New Economy that outlined ways to promote the right policy environment and build capacity to help create a framework to strengthen markets, electronic commerce, infrastructure, and knowledge and skills development. It also looked at providing affordable and more efficient access to communications and the internet.

Building upon these efforts, Leaders endorsed the e-APEC Strategy in 2001. It developed a forward-looking, long-term and action-oriented plan under three pillars -
  • Creating an environment for strengthening of market structures and institutions, i.e., open markets and strong institutions.
  • Facilitating an environment for infrastructure investment and technology development i.e., a favorable investment and innovation climate.
  • Enhancing human capacity building and promoting entrepreneurship i.e., emphasis on education and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The 2004 report, Implementing the e-APEC Strategy - Progress and Recommendations for Further Action, found that economies had made significant improvements in e-infrastructure, broadband, e-government services and mobile services and that increased competition and market oriented policies had helped innovation and investment. It stated that the e-APEC Strategy continues to grow in importance and exhorted Member Economies, especially those at earlier stages of implementation, to continue building skills and capacity.
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Achievements

The following activities and projects are being implemented by APEC Fora to support the continued implementation of the e-APEC Strategy.

  • The Electronic Commerce Steering Group (ECSG) developed a Data Privacy Pathfinder initiative which will enable stakeholders to work together to better protect private information in the APEC region and build confidence and trust in electronic commerce. The Pathfinder will support business needs, reduce compliance costs, provide consumers with effective remedies, allow regulators to operate efficiently, and minimise regulatory burdens.
  • The Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) prepared the APEC's Second Trade Facilitation Action Plan endorsed by Ministers Responsible for Trade in July 2007. This plan sets out a framework and timetable for achieving a further five per cent reduction in trade transaction costs by 2010. It focuses on customs procedures, standards and conformance, e-commerce and mobility of business people.
  • The APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) adopted the SCCP Single Window Strategic Plan and the SCCP Single Window Development Plan in June 2007. The Strategic Plan provides a framework for the development of Single Window systems by members to achieve paperless trading targets and enable seamless data sharing. It contains six recommendations to assist members in this endeavour and provides the mechanisms for APEC members to work collaboratively and agree on various issues where appropriate.
  • In Sydney, Ministers agreed to expedite work to support the implementation of international trade "Single Windows" across APEC, with a view to the eventual interoperability of systems through the use of recognised international instruments and standards. "Single Windows" allow businesses involved in trade and transport to electronically submit standardised information and documents at a single entry point to fulfill all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements.
  • APEC Ministers also recognised that the digital capability of APEC member economies is crucial in advancing APEC's work and the equitable development of the region. They welcomed the contribution made by the APEC Digital Opportunity Centre in this regard and encouraged member economies to further cooperate in relevant capacity building activities.

Current Activities

More information can be found from the APEC TEL, APEC's Electronic Commerce Steering Group, Committee on Trade and Investment and APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP).


e-APEC Strategy - Key Contact
APEC Secretariat
Mr. Luis Tsuboyama
Director (Program)
E-mail:
lt@apec.org

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Find Out More
Action Agenda for the New Economy
Statement on APEC Policies on Trade and the Digital Economy
e-APEC Strategy
Downloads
E-APEC Strategy
(PDF,258 Kb)
Implementing the e-APEC Strategy - Progress and Recommendations for Further Action, 2004
(PDF,244 Kb)
Realising Innovation and Human Capital Potential in APEC, 2004
(PDF,5018 Kb)
The Drivers of the New Economy in APEC: Innovation and Organizational Practices, 2003
(PDF,746 Kb)
E-Commerce Strategies for Rural SMEs in APEC, 2003
(PDF,12655 Kb)
E-Commerce Readiness in the East Asian APEC Economies - A Precursor to Determine HRD Requirements and Capacity Building, 2002
(PDF,1248 Kb)
Application of E-Commerce Strategies to Small and Medium Sized Tourism Enterprises in the APEC Region, 2002
(PDF,3156 Kb)
The New APEC Economy: Innovations, Digital Divide and Policy, 2002
(PDF,1142 Kb)
External Related Links
e-APEC Strategy - Progress and Recommendations for Further Action Background Papers
APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group