APEC 2017: Fourth ABAC meeting opens in Da Nang

The three-day meeting is the first activity of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week slated for November 6-11.

At the meeting. (Photo: thanhnien.vn)

In his opening remark, ABAC 2017 Chair Hoang Van Dung said since the last ABAC meeting in Toronto, ABAC members participated in a number of APEC events including the third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3) in Ho Chi Minh City where they briefed senior officials on the progress of implementing the ABAC 2017 work programme and preparations for the dialogue with APEC leaders.

During this meeting, the ABAC will wrap up discussions on 2017 work programme and identify activities for 2018, including its dialogue with leaders, he said.

Discussions will focus on WTO integration, especially removing protectionism and trade barriers to improve development investment; measures to support and develop small- and medium-sized enterprises; and the application of digital technology, he added.

ABAC was set up by APEC Economic Leaders at the third APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Japan in 1995 with the aim to promote the role of the private economic sector in APEC cooperation.

ABAC now comprises 63 members representing leading businesses in the region. Vietnam’s representatives are Hoang Van Dung, who is former Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI); Dang Thanh Tam, Chairman of the Saigon Invest Group; and Nguyen Thanh Hung, Founding Chairman of Sovico Holdings.