The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Institute has recently conducted an APEC conference series for researchers and scholars to discuss with policy makers the merits and controversies of the APEC agenda in Manila.
The APEC Study Centers (ASCs) Consortium Conference is basically an academic conference between the ASCs of the APEC-member countries.
"(It) provides an excellent opportunity for researchers, scholars and policy makers to discuss and exchange ideas on the APEC themes and to identify areas for regional collaboration among other ASCs,” a statement from the ADB Institute said.
APECFor the event, the ADB was joined by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Philippine APEC Study Center Network, and the Ateneo de Manila University. The forum provided information sharing between APEC economies and research groups.
PIDS said the conference — which was part of the Second Senior Officials Meeting — discussed enhancing trade and investments, as well as supply chains to "fully reap the benefits of global value chains.”
"Trade is central to the world economy and a main driver of global integration. Production chains mean that most products or services are assembled with inputs from many countries,” said PIDS. "Supply chain connectivity then is vital for the efficient flow of trade among APEC economies by allowing firms to source materials from any part of the world and to deliver products and services to consumers anywhere in the world.”
Supply chain connectivity covers trade facilitation, physical infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges and networks, added PIDS. "The gains from regional integration–and how extensive the scope of these gains will be–largely depend on the volume and quality of trade and investment patterns, infrastructure, and connectivity in the APEC region. Supply chain barriers cause higher operating and capital expenses, increased risks, and lower trade volume.”
The ADB Institute said conference discussions could are inputs for APEC working groups and later, might also be integrated in the APEC leaders’ statements.
The official theme of the 2015 APEC Philippines is "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”
"By gathering academics and policy makers and stimulating dialogue, the conference will help achieve the larger goals of the Philippines as this year’s APEC host economy,” said ADB Institute.//
