SARS dominates discussion at ABAC meeting - APEC Focus - Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council

Business Asia, June, 2003

Lessons learned from the SARS crisis was the major issue on the agenda at the last APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting held in Tokyo recently, resulting in the pressing point that the disease cannot be used as an excuse for protectionism.

Senior business representatives from each of APEC's 21 member economies met to discuss major issues affecting regional trade.

ABAC chair Dr Viphandh Roengpithya says that the council is concerned that SARS is having a serious negative impact on business activities in the region.

He stressed the need for transparent and timely information in the fight against SARS, as well as the need to streamline border controls while ensuring responsible and appropriate health safeguards, and the need to strengthen regional capacity to respond to future crises.

Viphandh also made the point that the SARS crisis should not be allowed to overshadow other factors which need to be addressed in to ensure the economic wellbeing of the region.

"Other serious issues confront our regional economy and business must play a role in maintaining our regional economic health," Viphandh says.

Strict controls

Peter Charlton, ABAC member for Australia and First Charlton Communications chairman, says strict controls were in place throughout the meeting, with delegates from Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Taiwan placed in isolation. Measures to keep representatives from those countries separated from others included designated buses and tables.

"They were understandable precautions, but difficult," Charlton says, adding that a particular highlight of the meeting was a presentation given by fellow ABAC member Dr Victor Fung. Chairman of Li and Fung Ltd and Prudential Asia, on Hong Kong's experience with SARS. During the meeting, which was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, ABAC finalised its 2003 Interim Report to APEC Economic Leaders under the theme Harmony in Diversity: Achieving Balanced and Equitable Growth. The report will be presented to the meeting of APEC trade ministers in Khon Kaen, Thailand, this month.

Five key messages are included in the report, including a reinforcement of the need to remain committed to free and open trade, and achieving the Bogor Goals, which aim to see trade liberalisation in developed countries by 2010, and in developing countries by 2020.

CHARLTON CALLS FOR CLOSER APEC RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIA

Australian APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) member and First Charlton Communications chairman Peter Charlton is calling for a closer relationship between India and APEC, the organisation charged with promoting free trade within its 21 member countries.

"It would be in APEC's interests to have an India association," Charlton says, adding that India's high growth rate and skill levels should not be ignored.

India is one of the few countries to register annual growth of five per cent in the last five years, and has become a magnet to international companies seeking highly skilled, value-for-money labour. The population of 1.03 billion also makes the country a significant marketplace.

Charlton says India should become involved in some business-related areas of APEC, although not the political issues,

He does not believe the country should become a fully-fledged member of APEC, but added that India's significant presence meant it should be involved to a certain extent.

"India is too important to ignore and APEC should not ignore it," Charlton says.