Hanoi (VNA) – Thethird meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) in 2017 will convenein Toronto, Canada, from July 24-28.
The meeting will gatherbusiness leaders from APEC member economies to discuss issues related to trade,economic cooperation and regional connectivity to prepare for the APEC EconomicLeaders Week in Vietnam next November.
A Vietnamese delegation ledby ABAC Vietnam Chairman Hoang Van Dung will attend the meeting. In addition,Permanent Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will participate in anumber of events within the framework of the meeting.
According to PamelaGoldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of InternationalTrade, through cooperation with the ABAC, Canada has been able to scale uptrade and investment ties with Pacific nations and territories, including growingAsian markets.
By working together, APECeconomies could achieve benefits of sustainable and inclusive trade, thus bringingprosperity to people in the region, she added.
As scheduled, the official willattend the ABAC meeting to promote Canada’s trade agenda as well as itscommitments to representatives of businesses of different sizes in the Asia-Pacificregion.
The event will be co-organisedby the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and ABAC Canada Secretariat.
It will feature a series of symposiums,with work programme covering priorities such as deepening regional economicintegration, achieving sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth, enhancingMSMEs’ competitiveness, and ensuring food security.
A highlight of the meetingis the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership Symposium on Technology andInnovation. In 2015, the Canadian Government announced to spend 4.74 millionCAD (around 3.8 million USD) on the APEC-Canada Growing Business PartnershipProject to help member economies alleviate poverty and integrate in the globalmarket.
Established in 1995, theABAC is the private sector arm of the APEC to advise APEC economic leaders andofficials on issues of interest to business. -VNA
The first meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) in 2017 opened in Bangkok, Thailand on February 21, with more than 150 delegates from member economies and ABAC taking part.
Senior officials from APEC member economies have highly evaluated and reaffirmed their support for the theme and priorities proposed by the host country Vietnam for APEC Year 2017.
APEC business conferences and forums will be in full swing in September and November, said Vu Tien Loc, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry at a press conference.
Strengthening regional integration, promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth, and enhancing the competitiveness edge of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are among the top priorities in 2017 of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC).
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
ABAC Vietnam Chairman Hoang Van Dung (Photo: VNA) 
