12 November 2015

A delegation of New Zealand business representatives will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit and related meetings in Manila this month, says the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF).

NZIBF executive director Stephen Jacobi said the APEC meetings were an annual opportunity for chief executives to take the economic pulse of the region.

“With the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) concluded and the text released, there will be increased attention focused on how this new agreement once ratified can become a pathway for wider economic integration,” he said.

In that sense TPP is not just about the twelve participants but all 21 members of APEC. These developments together with the future security, sustainability and inclusiveness of the region will be top of mind in Manila, he said.

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) fourth and final meeting of the year will take place in Manila from 13-16 November. New Zealand ABAC members Tony Nowell and Katherine Rich, together with Alternate Member Stephen Jacobi will attend. The team will participate in the annual ABAC dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders including Prime Minister John Key on 18 November.

“The key issues for New Zealand on the ABAC agenda this year have been making progress towards the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, addressing non tariff barriers, promoting supply chain connectivity, enabling food security and ensuring the financial health of the region as well addressing issues of particular relevance to small and medium size business” said Mr Jacobi.

The APEC CEO Summit will be held between 16-18 November. The summit is an annual gathering of CEOs from throughout the region. Under the theme “Creating the Future – Better, Stronger, Together” participants will focus on the scope for enhanced public private sector co-operation to address the region’s economic challenges.

The conference is the arena for a number of key note addresses by APEC Economic Leaders including Prime Minister Key, President Benigno S Aquino III of the Philippines, President Xi Jinping of China and President Obama, as well as panel-led sessions on business themes featuring Chairs/CEOs of some of the region’s leading companies.