International trade today is very different from what it was 20, or even 10, years ago. Entrepreneurs around the world have changed the way they trade, what they trade and with whom they trade. Yet one thing has not changed: the importance of trade for growth, jobs and development.

At a small factory in the Indonesian city of Bekasi, West Java, workers weld stainless steel panels on the floor. Remula Inti Rekayasa, a manufacturer of stainless steel tanks, recently participated in APEC SME Innovation Center’s one-on-one consulting program in 2012.

If a married woman applies for a bank loan in some APEC economies, she must get the co-signature of her husband.  For many woman entrepreneurs, separated from their husbands, this poses a significant challenge to starting or growing their business.

In the sunny, arid Elqui Valley of Northern Chile, workers at ABA Distil harvest muscat grapes for aging in wooden barrels to produce pisco.

After years of driving his business forward, with a high-energy, hands-on approach common to owners of SMEs, Pablo Garcia decided to “just step back.” He introduced a devolved management style, allowing his talented and motivated employees a high degree of freedom to make decisions on research and development, operations and other aspects of the business.

Wishnu Wardhana predicts a pivotal year for APEC and its business advisory council. With the global economy still fragile, the Indonesian businessman says the Asia-Pacific must continue to lead the recovery, with balanced and more sustainable economic growth.

While global uncertainty contributed to a slowdown in growth for many Asia Pacific economies in 2012, the region ended the year on a more encouraging note and is positioned to rebound further. The markets are currently seeing 2013 as the year when a wider range of economies return to more robust growth.

In 2013, APEC will strengthen its efforts to realize the Asia-Pacific region’s full potential, thereby responding to global challenges through partnership and cooperation. Under the theme, “Resilient Asia-Pacific, Engine of Global Growth”, concrete outcomes are expected from the fulfillment of three priorities areas.

Russia hosted APEC for the first time since its accession in 1998. Vladivostok’s Russkiy Island on its Pacific coast was the venue for the 20^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.