A short statement on the Fifth Trade Policy Forum's potential contribution to APEC

Abstract

The promotion of an open multilateral trading system is a fundamental objective of APEC. The most urgent priority is the successful outcome of the recently extended Uruguay Round. Subsequently, APEC can pursue further issues in multilateral trade negotiations and consider trade liberalisation in the Asia-Pacific region in ways which are consistent with its multilateral objectives. The PECC has been invited by APEC to identify specific issues in each of these trade policy areas. Accordingly, the forthcoming Fifth Trade Policy Forum (TPF) has a unique opportunity to help shape APEC's outward-looking trade policy agenda; a number of issues for potential consideration by the Forum are set out below. In some cases, it should be feasible to draw up detailed recommendations. In other cases, it will be more realistic to identify issues and initiate further policy-oriented work. If the TPF is to become increasingly effective, then sub-groups will need to research issues in depth between successive Forums.