Apec, business leaders discuss economic recovery during summit in Thailand

Prior to the start of the ABAC Dialogue with APEC Leaders, Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz (2nd from left) grabs opportunities to share his perspective on the business landscape in the Philippines with ABAC members from Mexico Guillermo Miller (left) and Agustin Garcia Rechy (extreme right) and Laura Lane (front) of United States. Courtesy of Aboitiz

MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) and entrepreneurs have discussed economic recovery and sustainability, among others, during the summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

The dialogue, which was conducted through breakout sessions of the Apec Summit, between Apec leaders and the Apec Business Advisory Council (ABAC) was held on November 18.

According to business firm Aboitiz, the main topics of discussion were economic recovery, sustainability, regional economic integration, and digitalization and inclusion.

“We had very productive and healthy discussions on a variety of issues that spoke directly to feasible and reasonable solutions to many of the region’s more pressing economic development challenges,” Aboitiz said in a statement on Monday.

Before the breakout sessions, Apec leaders and ABAC members attended a plenary session where 2022 ABAC chair Kriengkrai Thiennukul presented their report to leaders.

Kriengkrai expressed eagerness, on the part of the business community, to “contribute, collaborate and advance recovery to secure future growth.”

Among the actions that the ABAC suggested to deepen economic integration are supporting a stronger and more relevant world trade organization and expediting towards the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific through a structured work program.

Meanwhile, Aboitiz also had a separate discussion with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the Apec Summit.

Marcos raised the importance of the country’s aquaculture sector to achieve food security during the meeting.

JPV