16 November 2015 (Manila, Philippines) - When Asia-Pacific Leaders gather in Manila for the annual summit, they should focus their discussions on ways to ensure that more people are part of the growth of the region, says the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council’s annual State of the Region report that was released today. According to the report the region will grow at 3.2 percent this year, the slowest rate since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009. More... 

 

Achieving Resilient and Inclusive Growth
12 September 2015 (Manila, Philippines) – The Asia-Pacific is undergoing a structural transformation with uncertainty prevailing in key markets, the region must find new engines of growth by harnessing business opportunities enabled by digital revolution, rise of middle class, increased social mobility and global value chains. Realizing the potential of these new trends requires the participation of all sectors of the community. 

 

Addressing the audience at the 23rd PECC General Meeting, President of the Philippines H.E. Benigno S. Aquino III said, “The Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) is an excellent example of a belief I always have held: The challenges of a country, or even of the world, are not for a mere few to solve. Each one of us must do his part. Standing here today, in front of an audience composed of representatives from business, the academe, governance, and other sectors, I see that belief realized. Since 1980, the PECC has contributed so much, not only in crafting policy, but also in shaping a more stable and more prosperous Asia Pacific. Indeed: By working together, we will find it much easier to solve our collective challenges. Foremost among these is how to achieve balanced, sustained, and inclusive growth.” More...

22 May 2015 (Boracay, Philippines) - Regional trade ministers gathering in Boracay for APEC should make improving the access of small companies to compete in global markets a top priority. In a survey conducted by the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), 52 percent of respondents rated the facilitation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in global value chains as a top 5 priority for APEC, followed by the achievements of the Bogor Goals and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP); services sector reforms and liberalization; the design of trade policy in response to global value chains; and how economies can move to upgrade their participation in global value chains. More...

 

20 May 2015 (Boracay, Philippines) - The Internet economy is increasingly important in providing jobs and opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region according to a symposium held on Monday with policy experts, entrepreneurs and government officials as part of the APEC meetings held in the Philippines. E-commerce, for example, was worth US$1.2 trillion in 2013, growing at a rate of around 20 percent every year. “Connectivity, through the Internet economy, will help bring SMEs to market, improve education and health services delivery, link small farmers to large markets, and change the way we design, create, and consume products and services, among others. No business sector or segment of society will be untouched by the power and potential of connectivity,’ said Ambassador Laura Del Rosario, APEC SOM Chair 2015. More...

 

3 March 2015 (Singapore) – Overall growth rate has slowed in the Asia-Pacific region but there is still good potential for growth, said Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, Minister of Energy of Thailand and Chair of Thai committee for PECC. “Innovations in technology and digitalization, rise of the middle class in the region are significant drivers of growth. These changes will continue at lightning speed with or without policy catching up to these developments,” he added. More...