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Home About Focus For 2009 Positioning for Recovery
Positioning for Recovery PDF Print E-mail
While there are recent signs of the global economy stabilising, the situation remains uncertain, and significant risks to economic and financial stability exist. APEC is committed to working together to overcome the current economic crisis and to prepare for a sustainable recovery that will also continue to advance APEC’s vision of free and open trade and investment.

Trade Finance
The World Bank has estimated that 10-15% of the recent decline in world trade was due to difficulties related to trade financing. Senior officials from APEC member economies have been met twice this year to take stock of the situation, exchange experiences and best practices, and ensure APEC has an effective response. An APEC Trade Finance Survey released in July 2009 showed that a majority of APEC economies felt that the trade finance situation has eased somewhat since February 2009. Nevertheless, the situation still bears watching given continued uncertainty in credit conditions.  

Inclusive Growth
The liberalisation of trade and investment has significantly expanded prosperity and reduced poverty across Asia-Pacific, yet it is clear that not all segments of society have benefitted. The economic crisis has amplified these effects, leading to increased protectionist pressures.

APEC members have committed a total of US$1.78 trillion in stimulus packages since September 2008 to address the economic crisis. Going forward, greater focus will be put on ensuring that economic growth is more inclusive to spread its benefits more broadly and strengthen the consensus for free trade. Some possibilities include fostering flexible labour markets, more adaptable workforces, well-designed safety nets and developing an environment which fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.

Sustainable Growth
In climate change, the world faces one of its biggest challenges. APEC supports the ongoing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in tackling global warming, and will seek to ensure that economic growth is consistent with environmental sustainability.

To contribute to the success of the Copenhagen Conference, APEC will explore ways to reduce barriers to trade and investment in environmental goods and services.