Chairman’s Message
As the first decade of the 21st century comes to a close, the world faces a turbulent future on a number of fronts. High on the minds of leaders in the public and private sector are issues concerning the environment, rebalancing the global economy, creating a free trade zone in Asia, and coping with the increasing economic and political influence of an emerging China. While these topics are not new, what has changed is the increasing public mindshare about these issues along with the willingness of the world’s key players in the public and private sector to bring innovative solutions to the table and forge a new world order.
Following the 2008 financial meltdown and ensuing global economic crisis, economies around the world are experiencing an upturn. The inherent challenge in economic recovery is to avoid a return to business as usual and, instead, implement a revised model that is sustainable, balanced, inclusive, and broad based.
As the fastest growing region in the world, Asia’s renewed growth is leading the post-crisis economic recovery. The region’s dynamic, more rapid recovery and potential for even greater growth is at the crux of a paradigm shift of global economic power to the Pacific region. The APEC economies account for 54% of world GDP, 52% of world trade, and represent a market of 2.7 billion consumers. Half of the G-20 member countries are APEC economies. So whether viewed through the prism of APEC, the G-20, the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP), or other multilateral organizations, the issues are significant, the stakes are high, and leaders are engaged.
As evidenced by the recent UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the degree of interconnectivity and deepening regional and global economic integration cannot be overstated. In terms of regional economic integration, it is the role of governments and policymakers to facilitate free trade and open markets. As an indispensable partner and stakeholder in the process, it falls to the private sector to respond with determination and creativity. Beyond government initiatives and stimulus packages, it will be the businesses operating in the region that will continue to spur economic growth and prosperity in Asia Pacific.
PBEC represents the independent voice of business. For PBEC to remain relevant in this and the coming decades, we must forcefully present the views of our members to relevant policymakers on these and other key issues. As we advance on what promises to be a bumpy road towards economic recovery, we must remain nimble and sure-footed in our commitment to advance a clear and unified pro-business message on the policy agenda of governments in Asia Pacific.
While PBEC is uniquely positioned and has a significant role to play in advocating on behalf of the private sector regarding issues that affect the ways we do business across the region, PBEC is only effective if we continue to provide connections between our members, government leaders, and external stakeholders.
We want to actively engage stakeholders in the fulfillment of the APEC 2009 Leaders’ Declaration initiative to combine trade liberalization “at the border,” improve the business environment “behind the border,” and enhance supply chain connectivity “across the border,” while being mindful of the impact of these initiatives on the climate change debate.
Now is the time when PBEC can truly make a difference. Let us seize the moment.
