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The 21 APEC member economies will take steps toward enabling more digitally-driven and inclusive trade and growth in 2018, the group’s incoming chair, Papua New Guinea, announced at a key planning meeting in Port Moresby. The focus will be on empowering workers and businesses, in all parts of the region, to thrive in an age of digital disruption.
“Under the theme of “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future,” Papua New Guinea in 2018 will ensure focus on today’s core economic and social challenges,” explained Papua New Guinea Minister for APEC, Justin Tkachenko, in remarks to APEC Senior Officials. “In 2018, we will advance policy discussions on the digital economy through all of APEC’s key work programs.”
“We will also continue to focus on connectivity and facilitate ongoing work on the multi-year program on structural reforms,” added Minister Tkachenko. “Under this theme, Papua New Guinea will advance APEC’s ongoing agenda through our three core policy priorities.”
To this end, APEC’s 2018 priorities that will advance APEC’s ongoing agenda include:
- Improving Connectivity, and Deepening Regional Economic Integration;
- Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Growth; and,
- Strengthening Economic Growth through Structural Reform.
Trade and sectoral officials will next convene in Port Moresby from 24 February 2018 to proceed with implementation work, culminating with the First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting in March to decide the way forward.