APEC Haus, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
November 17, 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte convened with other 20 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders for the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue at the APEC Haus in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

In his message, ABAC Chair David Toua congratulated Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for hosting the APEC 2018. He also discussed before the 21 Economic Leaders the three (3) major key recommendations in advancing the APEC agenda. They are as follows:

-That APEC continues to support the integrity and the purpose of the international trading system;
-That economies and businesses in the region make greater efforts in explaining the benefits of open trade investment and ensuring the benefits are widely shared in communities, giving pre-meaning to an inclusive society;
-And that the Economies implement policies that promote the digital revolution, ensuring adequate investment in infrastructure that provides reliable, affordable, efficient and least cost access to quality Wi-Fi and broadband.

Closing his statement, Chair Toua expressed that ABAC always looks forward to opportunities to discuss concerns on businesses with the APEC Leaders towards a major growth and development in the region.

In response, APEC 2018 Chair and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister O’Neill expressed his appreciation to ABAC for organizing the Dialogue and for their insightful recommendations on the issues of the region.

Thereafter, the 21 APEC Leaders and business leaders proceeded to five different rooms for their informal and constructive dialogue.

ABAC was established in 1995 during the 3rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Japan to recognize and formalize the role of the private sector in APEC. The Dialogue serves as a venue for the ABAC members to discuss issues, projects and initiatives with the APEC Leaders.

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