Regional connectivity is an effective strategy for inclusive growth

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Wilfredo Santos on Monday (Feb. 2) stressed to member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) the need to accelerate the region’s connectivity in various areas of interest as an effective strategy to attain inclusive growth.

“As recognized by the APEC Economic Leaders in 2013, we have already been able, and should continue, to move ahead in a common direction towards furthering travel facilitation for the benefit of business people across economies, in pursuance of the need for more efficient flow of goods, services, capital and people,” Santos pointed out during the Business Mobility Group (BMG) meeting.

Santos also sought his fellow officials’ support in developing the APEC Business Travel Card scheme as a major enabling mechanism to facilitate the movement of business people within and among member economies.

“Part of our effort in maintaining this free movement of people is ensuring that border control authorities are equipped with tools needed to make better informed decisions for which the Regional Movement Alert System (RMAS) plays a vital role,” he added.

In closing, he announced that the Philippines and Australia have reached an agreement regarding the second phase of the RMAS, which he cited as a milestone in border protection initiatives coming from the APEC based on the context of the Philippines’ collaboration with Australia.

The BMG is among the ongoing related technical meetings being held in Clark and Subic Freeports in line with the First Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) of the APEC.

“During the discussions of the senior officials during the SOM1, they will take into account the results of these technical meetings, in addition to recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC),” the APEC has said in a statement. The ABAC held its first meeting this year from January 27 to 30 in Hong Kong, China.

Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and against corruption.

The SOM1 will be held from February 6 to 7 at the Fontana Convention Center in Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City.

The APEC began as an informal dialogue group in 1989, but has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

It is composed of 21 member economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia; Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, The Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States of America, and Viet Nam.

This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World. (PCOO News Release)