ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION

During the period under review, APEC member economies focused their attention on formulating their respective Individual Action Plans and Collective Action Plans. These Action Plans were formulated in accordance with the general principles and framework of the Osaka Action Agenda so as to realize APEC's long term goal of free trade and investment in the region. The Action Plans contained steps to be taken toward achieving the objectives set out in each of the fifteen areas for specific action: tariffs; non-tariff measures; services; investment; standards and conformance; customs procedures; intellectual property rights; competition policy; government procurement; deregulation; rules of origin; dispute mediation; mobility of business people; implementation of the UR agreements; and information gathering and analysis.

Member economies submitted these Action Plans to the Eighth APEC Ministerial Meeting held in Manila in November 1996 and the Fourth APEC Economic Leaders Summit held in Subic, Philippines in November 1996. The Action Plans, now embodied in the Manila Action Plan for APEC (MAPA) are to be implemented beginning 1 January 1997. MAPA contains the first step towards progressive and comprehensive trade and investment liberalization with a view to achieving the Bogor goals by year 2010/2020, in accordance with the Osaka Action Agenda.

The main channel of communication between ASEAN and the private sector is the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry.