Business Leaders in Florida - Address Challenges of Globalization
Senior Asia-Pacific business executives will address the challenges of globalization and ways of reviving WTO negotiations when they meet on February 3-6 in Miami.
This meeting will bring executives appointed by the Leaders of the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum Member Economies to Florida where they will develop their policy recommendations and also engage in a business symposium with local businesses, both at the Doral Resort.
APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Chair, Mr. Hernan Somerville from Chile, said "It is a pleasure to visit Miami for our first meeting of 2004."
"This is a fitting start, as Chile's hosting the APEC this year will focus considerable high-level business and political attention on the Americas and issues of interest here."
One of the highlights of this meeting will be the ABAC Business Symposium, "APEC and the WTO: Achieving Progress Through Cooperation," with U.S., regional and Miami business representatives on February 4. The symposium is being organized by the U.S. National Center for APEC.
"This symposium will be a two-way exchange. Top business executives from around the Asia-Pacific region will discuss pressing global issues and their recommendations to Leaders, while the Miami business community can offer its views on global issues and local opportunities."
Mr. Somerville said "ABAC's main focus, as it develops recommendations to present to APEC Leaders when they meet in Santiago in November, is to provide practical advice and represent the business community."
Delegates will also discuss innovative ideas to facilitate trade across borders while improving security against terrorist threats, corporate governance, transparency and financial market stability, successful conclusion of the WTO negotiations and the proliferation of bilateral and regional trade agreements, reducing business transaction costs, and access to financing for SMEs.
To prepare their final recommendations to APEC Leaders in November, ABAC will also meet in Chinese Taipei in May and New Zealand in August.
Separate media guidance will be issued inviting the media to attend a photo opportunity during the ABAC Business Symposium with Florida Businesses on Wednesday, February 4, and a Press Conference on Friday, February 6.