APEC - the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum - expresses its support for the ongoing negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce, and encourages participants to accelerate discussions towards a balanced, inclusive and meaningful outcome for consumers and businesses.
El Trade and Investment Committee and the APE Digital Economy Steering GroupOn Saturday (11.11.2023), the C-level issued a statement encouraging more WTO members to participate in the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce to further expand its benefits and intensify discussions on the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.
“E-commerce drives economic activity and provides more opportunities for businesses and our communities to participate in global markets,” he said. Blake Van Velden, Chair of the APEC Trade and Investment Committee.
“This week, APEC economies highlighted the central role of digital technologies in growth, productivity, inclusion and innovation,” Van Velden added. “Concluding negotiations on e-commerce this year would be a great outcome for the WTO and our region.”
A recent APEC report on the economic impact of adopting digital trade rules found that intra-regional digital trade contributed USD 2.1 trillion to APEC economies, equivalent to approximately 4.1 percent of regional GDP, and supported more than 60 million jobs in 2018.
"The global pandemic has shocked us and there is an urgent need for global rules that support digital trade across the Asia-Pacific region and the world," he said. Ekapong Rimcharone, Chair of the APEC Digital Economy Steering Group.
"We must maintain the momentum as we work towards a substantial conclusion of the negotiations this year, to ensure that all economies can benefit from e-commerce, including our micro, small and medium-sized enterprises," Rimcharone added.Full statement)
APEC 2023
The APEC 2023 meeting begins this week in San Francisco, California, hosted by the United States. The theme will be: “Creating a resilient and sustainable future for all«. Leaders, ministers and officials will push forward APEC's work in a wide range of policy areas this year, including Trade and investment facilitation, the digital economy, clean energy and climate, health, equity and gender equality, as well as anti-corruption and food security.
This Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum has become one of the main gatherings of the world economy.
Founded in 1989 to promote trade integration, APEC brings together 21 Asian and American territories bordering the Pacific Ocean: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
Its partners are called economies, not countries, so that delegates from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan can all agree.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
