Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (Source: VNA)

He said the Dialogue this year is of significant importance. It is time to find out new ways to sustain the role of APEC as a driver for economic growth and integration at the global level and in the Asia-Pacific. The recommendations and ideas presented by ABAC will provide an important basis for APEC economic leaders to consider and make decisions on APEC’s future direction.

President Quang said he welcomes the 20 specific recommendations of the regional business community: “It is my view that all of your recommendations are very practical and important. “The issues that attract the attention of the business community, particularly regional economic integration, connectivity, boosting trade and investment flows, MSMEs, inclusive growth, food security, APEC’s post-2020 vision, amongst others, are also issues of great concern for APEC leaders to work out appropriate solutions and practical actions.”

The President said that economic integration, connectivity, trade and investment liberalization have been and will continue to be the top priorities for APEC cooperation. All APEC member economies are committed to accelerating the implementation to achieve the Bogor Goals, with greater focus on services, investment and measures to reduce non-tariff barriers. APEC will also expedite the implementation of adopted plans, notably the APEC Connectivity Blueprint, the Supply-Chain Connectivity Framework, the Services Competitiveness Roadmap. Mr. Quang stressed the need for APEC to focus more on emerging issues, such as cross-border e-commerce, the road map on the internet and digital economy.

President Quang said that the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat on Saturday will discuss the orientations to further expedite the efforts to achieve the Bogor Goals, connect supply chains, strengthen the multilateral trading system, promote regional trade agreements and move towards the realization of a Free Trade Area of the Asia – Pacific (FTAAP). The President expressed his belief that the businesses’ companionship will provide new momentum to realize APEC’s ultimate goal for the benefit of people and businesses.