Da Nang (VNA) – The APEC 2017 CEO Summit, themed“Creating New Dynamism and Fostering a Shared Future” opened in the centralcity of Da Nang on November 8 as part of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week.

Delivering a keynote speech at the event, President Tran Dai Quang said throughoutnearly three decades of evolution, APEC has not only witnessed turning-pointchanges of the world but also been part of these changes.

“As a premier regional economic forum, APEC has recorded many importantachievements in economic and social development, and lifted hundreds ofmillions of people out of poverty.”

It has become the most effective economic cooperation mechanism in promotingthe role of businesses and transforming the Asia-Pacific region into a driverof global growth and integration as well as the incubator of new ideas for thefuture.

“These achievements were not possible without crucial contributions from theAsia-Pacific business community that you represent,” he stressed.

Thanks to the essential contributions of the businesses, from the world leadingenterprises to the MSMEs and woman-led businesses, the Asia-Pacific has becomea driver of economic growth, and the hub of investment, science and technology,contributing to nearly 50 percent of the global investment, trade and almost 60percent of GDP, he said.

The APEC business community also plays a pioneering role in the development ofnew technology and energy industries, business cooperation, and next-generationtrade and investment issues, bringing about greater resources to better meetthe people’s material and cultural needs, he noted.

According to the President, during the past years, particularly over nearly ayear of the APEC 2017, Vietnam has worked with other member economies todevelop and implement a wide range of meaningful cooperation programs andactivities for the people and businesses on human resource development in thedigital age, development of MSMEs, cross-border e-commerce facilitation,promotion of internet and digital economy and financial, economic and socialinclusion.

“Our overarching goal is to promote people– and business-centered development,”he affirmed.

The leader also emphasised APEC’s priorities including generating further themomentum of global economic integration and recovery, upholding its leadingrole in trade and investment liberalisation, and fulfilling the Bogor Goals by2020.

He urged businesses to enhance cooperation and support member economies inpromoting investment in education and training so that the economies andemployees can better adapt to the new economic environment.

“APEC needs to bolster efforts to ensure the inclusiveness of growth. We needto turn “economic miracles” into “inclusive development miracles” in our regionand APEC should continue to play a leading role in the implementation of theUnited Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

He went on to say that businesses need to place greater emphasis on socialresponsibility, make active contributions to building resilient and inclusivecommunities, ensuring food-water-energy security, infusing entrepreneurship,furthering women’s economic empowerment, and supporting MSMEs in gaining astronger foothold in the global market.

“With the contributions and practical experience of businesses, we can developa comprehensive and inclusive vision for the region, which ensures theinterests of the people and businesses. This also provides the fundamentals forthe sustainable development of the APEC economies and business community in thefuture,” he noted.

According to President Quang, in the years ahead, Vietnam will continue tocarry out the comprehensive reform with three strategic breakthroughs toimprove market economy institutions, promote quality human resources development,and develop a modern infrastructure system.

“At the same time, we need to focus on transforming the growth model,developing knowledge economy and advanced technology, modernising agriculture,supporting industries, maritime economy and tourism. We also place importanceon fine-tuning the institutional, policy and legal frameworks, protecting theenvironment, providing an enabling business environment for all sectors,releasing all potentials of businesses, enhancing law enforcement and upholdingthe rule of law,” he said.       
    
The leader added that alongwith the comprehensive renovation, Vietnam continues to deepen its internationalintegration and make active contributions to multilateral mechanisms.

“The State and people of Vietnam always highly value the support of the APECbusiness community to Vietnam during our 30 years of renovation,” he concluded.

During the three-day summit, delegates will discuss pressing issues such as thefuture of globalisation, game changer, the future of work, the new jobcreators, connecting for growth, new frontiers in trade, the digital age, amongothers.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Japanese PrimeMinister Shinzo Abe are expected to deliver keynote addresses at the event.-VNA