Ministers and representatives from the 21-member Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) have encouraged the development of
human resources, industrial science and technology, and small and
medium enterprises, to strengthen economic and technical
cooperation in the region.
Under a joint statement issued on Thursday at the conclusion of
the two-day 18th APEC Ministerial Meeting, they reaffirmed the
pivotal role of human resources development for sustainable
development and prosperity.
The delegates at the meeting encouraged the Human Resources
Development Working Group in education, employment, labor and
capacity building among the economies to continue working on the
initiative of "Developing a Strategic Plan for English and Other
Language Learning in the APEC region."
Regarding industrial science and technology, they welcomed the
improvements in the participation of women and ethnic minority
communities in science and technology.
The ministers also stressed the importance of strengthening
small and medium enterprises' competitiveness for trade and
investment through developing and enabling environment.
They encouraged efforts to support the use of information and
communication technology in small and medium enterprises and micro
ones in promoting trade and exploring business opportunities,
especially in overseas markets.
At the meeting, they also reached consensus on some other
important issues such as continuing the support for the World Trade
Organization (WTO) negotiations, facilitating trade in the region,
enhancing anti-corruption and transparency, and strengthening human
security.
Documents endorsed by the ministers and representatives will be
submitted to the APEC economic leaders for approval at their
meeting on Nov. 18-19.
Founded in 1989, APEC is a major regional forum acting as the
primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and practical
economic and technical cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
It represents the most economically dynamic region in the world,
with its 21 member economies accounting for more than one third of
the world's population, approximately 60 percent of world GDP,
about 47 percent of world trade.
(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2006)
