[asia-apec 515] Statement from the APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting (part 2 of 2)

[PAN Asia Pacific]

Electronic Commerce

22. Ministers welcomed the report of the Task Force on Electronic
Commerce and noted the progress of work in both the Task Force and
other APEC sub-fora. 

23. Ministers endorsed that the second stage of the work programme
which would include possible development of principles and
practical cooperative activities for promoting the use of
electronic commerce in the region, recommendations on technical
cooperation and capacity-building activities, including on public
sector use of electronic commerce, as well as outreach and training
programmes. Ministers also endorsed the programme of information
exchange and technical cooperation to address the "millennium
bug/Year 2000" problem and to identify impediments to electronic
commerce in the region. 

24. In advancing the work programme, Ministers requested the Task
Force to take into account: 

     the views of the private sector; 

     differing levels of development in member economies; and 

     the need to avoid duplication of work in both APEC and
international fora. 

 

Impact of Liberalisation

25. Ministers welcomed the progress report by the Steering Group on
work to develop an APEC-wide programme to assess and promote the
understanding of the impact of trade liberalisation. There will be
a two-stage implementation plan, involving analytical work on five
case studies in Phase I and the development of a strategy for
communicating the findings of the study in Phase 2. Ministers
welcomed the offer of New Zealand to host a seminar on
communicating the outcomes of the Study under Phase 2 of this
project just before the next Trade Ministerial Meeting in New
Zealand in June 1999. 

26. Ministers recognised that the study is timely and relevant
especially during this time of economic difficulties and concerns
expressed over the benefit of further liberalisation. Ministers
reaffirmed the importance of promoting a broad-based and balanced
understanding of the impact of liberalisation, taking into account
both benefits as well as the associated adjustment costs. In this
context, they underscored the importance of selecting appropriate
sectors to reflect this approach. 

 

Supporting the Multilateral Trading System

27. Ministers expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the Second
WTO Ministerial Conference and welcomed the agreement to embark on a
work programme which include the implementation of existing Uruguay
Round Agreements, the built-in agenda, and recommendations concerning
other possible future work on the basis of the work programme
initiated in Singapore and recommendations on other matters proposed
by members. In this regard, Ministers welcomed the Statement
presented by the APEC Chair at the Conference, which underlines
APEC’s commitment to open regionalism and multilateral trading
system. 

28. Ministers recognised the importance of APEC’s on-going programme
of activities which support work in the WTO, in particular seminars
and training activities on the implementation of WTO agreements such
as customs valuation, subsidies and CVD, TRIPs and Services. They
agreed that these activities should be continued. Ministers also
agreed that APEC’s on-going information exchange on electronic
commerce would be an important contribution to the WTO.

29. In recalling APEC’s role in ITA I, Ministers called for a
successful conclusion of the ITA II, with a balanced outcome that
takes into account interests and concerns of members. 

 

ABAC

30. Ministers welcomed the briefing by Mr. Timothy Ong on the 1998
priorities of ABAC and confirmed APEC’s intention to continue to
work closely with ABAC. Ministers noted ABAC’s view on APEC’s work
in EVSL, electronic commerce and APEC action plans. ABAC
acknowledged the need for capacity building to complement APEC’s
liberalisation efforts. 

31. Ministers’ confirmed that APEC fora have responded positively to
the recommendations contained in ABAC’s 1997 Report to Leaders in the
areas of promoting cross-border flows, enhancing private investment
in infrastructure and access to capital as well as in implementing
economic and technical cooperation. Ministers expressed their desire
to continue to work closely with ABAC for liberalising and
facilitating trade and investment in the region.  Minister also called
upon ABAC to reach out to domestic business groups including small
businesses so that APEC activities would permeate through a broader
cross-section of the business sector. 

 

Other Matters

32. Ministers welcomed remarks from members-designate, Peru, Russia
and Vietnam on their preparations to assume full membership in APEC
in November. Ministers also received reports from representatives of
the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), the South Pacific
Forum (SPF) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)