Working under the policy theme of "Local/Regional Link, Global Reach: A New APEC Financial Cooperation" the ministers met with the aim of fostering greater financial linkages and closer economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Joint Ministerial Statement covers recent economic developments in the APEC Region and the sub-themes that were addressed in the Finance Ministers' Meeting. These sub-themes are "Grass-Roots and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development," "Regional Bond Market Development" and "Fiscal and Financial Aspects of Regional Trade Arrangements."
The Joint Ministerial Statement also features a progress report on a series of policy initiatives that are underway:
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Voluntary Action Plan for Supporting Freer and More Stable Capital Flows
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Financial Regulators Training Initiative
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Managing Regulatory Change in Life Insurance and Pensions
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Pathfinder Initiative on Corporate Governance
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Insolvency Law
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APEC Privatization Forum
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APEC Initiative on Alternative Remittance Systems
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APEC Finance and Development Program
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APEC Future Economic Leaders' Think Tank
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Development of Securitization and Credit Guarantee Markets
The Eleventh APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting has now been scheduled for Santiago, Chile, on 2-3 September 2004.
The next major APEC events for 2003 will be the meetings leading up to the annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.
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APEC Investment Mart, 16-21 October
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15th APEC Ministerial Meeting, 17-18 October
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4th Meeting of APEC Business Advisory Council, 18-21 October
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CEO Summit, 18-22 October
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11th APEC Leaders' Meeting, 20-21 October