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The APEC Singapore logo depicts the 21 APEC economies coming together to convene at a single point, working towards unity, cooperation and synergy among member economies to advance common interests.

The Spark is made up of 21 strokes representing the 21 member economies. It signifies the dynamism within the APEC community, and a catalyst that inspires new ideas and initiatives to further the vision of APEC.



APEC 2009 Theme

1. The theme for Singapore's chairmanship of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in 2009 is "Sustaining Growth, Connecting the Region". This theme reflects the continuing efforts of APEC to facilitate trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, efforts which have gained even greater importance in the face of a challenging global economic environment. Singapore will discuss with other APEC member economies measures to support economic growth, address the global economic crisis, support the multilateral trading system, accelerate regional economic integration, and strengthen APEC.

Addressing the Economic Crisis

2. Addressing the current global economic crisis will be one of APEC's key priorities in 2009. The global economic situation has deteriorated significantly since APEC Leaders met in Lima in November 2008 for the APEC Economic Leaders'  Meeting. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is forecasting global GDP growth at 0.5% this year, sharply down from the 2.2% it had forecasted in November 2008. APEC 2009 will bring together, for the very first time, APEC trade and finance senior officials, in February and July 2009, to discuss fiscal and monetary measures to help businesses and workers tide over the economic crisis. Previously, APEC trade and finance senior officials have had separate meetings on their respective trade and finance agenda.
Supporting the Multilateral Trading System

3. APEC 2009 will also discuss how APEC can support the multilateral trading system in a year where global trade is expected to fall by nearly 3%, the first contraction since 1982. Securing a global deal will not only help deliver new trade flows but also provide a firewall against protectionist pressures by locking in levels of access for trade and investment flows.

Accelerating Regional Economic Integration

4. Singapore will work closely with other APEC member economies to accelerate regional economic integration, "at the border", "behind the border" and "across the border".

5. For a start, APEC will look into intensifying work to reduce trade and investment barriers "at the border". This includes making the rules of origin of existing free trade agreements more business-friendly, identifying possible vehicles for a future Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and deepening analysis on the impact of an FTAAP.

6. Second, APEC will look into improving the ease of doing business by simplifying business regulations "behind the border", to make it easier, faster and cheaper to start a business, get licenses, trade across borders and also to carry out other business functions.

7. Third, APEC will look into improving logistics and transport networks to enhance physical connectivity "across the border", to further reduce the time, cost and uncertainty in moving goods along the entire supply chain.

Strengthening APEC

8. In 2009, APEC will continue its strife to be the premier forum for economic integration and cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region, as well as an effective platform for business sector engagement.

9. We will continue with our efforts to strengthen and professionalise the APEC Secretariat so that it is best equipped to implement the work set out by APEC Leaders, Ministers and Senior Officials. Most notably, in 2009, APEC will bring to fruition its plan of appointing a fixed-term professional Executive Director to provide continuity in leadership at the Secretariat.

10. APEC will also continue to find ways to streamline its activities and explore innovative meeting formats to foster more informal interaction and meaningful exchange among member economies.

11. APEC will seek to forge closer partnerships with the business community by, for instance, creating more synergies between the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) process.


Events Calendar
 

         (Source: www.apec2009.sg)
 

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