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Policy work

Explore our centre's policy work, as well as other work relevant to the APEC Australia agenda.

19/05/2022

Research Report

A Path to Australia: Opportunities and Market Insights for Vietnamese Business

This report is written specifically for Viet Nam’s business and government leaders and entrepreneurs and aims to help Vietnamese businesses enter Australia to diversify their import sources and export markets, grow investment, strengthen supply chain resilience, and build innovation.

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01/02/2020

APEC policy report

Blockchain and international trade in the APEC region

Graduate students from RMIT University prepared a report for ABAC on applications of blockchain technology to support APEC trade facilitation initiatives.

01/07/2019

APEC policy report

A landscape analysis on emerging payment channels in APEC

This report, commissioned by ABAC Australia, provides an overview of alternative payments technologies emerging in APEC and discusses their potential for accelerating financial inclusion.

1/07/2019

Article

Unlocking the economic potential of remote areas

Remote area development is an emerging topic of interest within the APEC region.

May 2019

APEC policy report

APEC Energy Demand and Supply Outlook 2019

APERC's Outlook aims to support APEC economies in achieving their stated energy goals as they continue to develop and grow, while also informing about recent energy trends in the region.

06/03/2019

APEC workshop report

The digital economy: measurement, regulation and inclusion report

This report focuses on the key outcomes and policy recommendations of the digital economy workshop on measurement, regulation and inclusion.

02/2019

APEC policy report

FTAAP: Next generation trade and investments issues - A business perspective

This ABAC report provides a business perspective on emerging trade and investment issues and their coverage in recent trade agreements such as the CPTPP, RCEP and Pacific Alliance.

01/11/2018

APEC policy report

ABAC/RMIT report - 'Human resources development challenges and opportunities arising from digital innovation'

Graduate students from RMIT University prepared a report for ABAC on human resources development challenges and opportunities arising from digital innovation.

1/11/2018

Article

Modernising international trade law for the digital economy

The extraordinary growth of the digital economy requires the adaptation of international trade rules to a new world of trade in digital services and data flows.

2018

Background paper

OECD - Australian services trade in the global economy

This OECD report was provided to our Services Trade Competitiveness workshop attendees as a background paper.

1/06/2018

Article

Global value chains in the Asia Pacific

APEC's vision of an Asia Pacific with free and open trade and investment, supported by structural reform and capacity building, is more relevant than ever.

1/06/2018

Article

Supply chains on blockchains

Blockchain technology is shaping up as one of the most disruptive new technologies of the 21st century.

1/02/2018

Article

The comprehensive and progressive TPP (CPTPP)

In 2017, with President Trump having disavowed the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement, the remaining eleven governments who negotiated it agreed to a set of changes.

1/11/2017

Article

Financing the Belt and Road Initiative: MDBs, SWFs, SOEs and the long wait for private investors

More than four years ago the Chinese leadership launched the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

1/11/2017

Article

Global infrastructure outlook

Providing adequate infrastructure that continues to support prosperity is one of the most significant challenges to our global wellbeing.

1/07/2017

Article

Benefits of services trade liberalisation in the Asia Pacific region

Services are at the top of the list of new sources of growth recently identified by APEC.

1/07/2017

Article

Investment facilitation in APEC

The APEC Investment Facilitation Action Plan (IFAP) was launched in 2008 to strengthen regional economic integration, expand prosperity and employment, and improve the competitiveness and sustainability of growth.

1/03/2017

Article

Whither Trump Trade Policy?

Donald Trump’s election as President has foreshadowed changes to trade policy in the Asian Pacific region.

1/11/2016

Article

Environmental provisions in trade agreements

That environment is a global public concern, is not in question. Whether trade agreements are suitable for addressing these concerns, is a different issue altogether.

1/11/2016

Article

APEC - The way forward

From time to time most institutional groupings ask themselves if they are 'fit for purpose'. APEC is going through such a phase...

21/12/2021

Article

Good for trade, good for the climate - why APEC’s list of environmental goods should be updated

New environmental goods are emerging. Trade in new environmental goods is growing. How can APEC benefit? Updating and expanding APEC ‘s list of environmental goods can help to lower trade barriers and build the clean industries of the future.

08/11/2019

APEC policy report

Benefits of trade: An organisational perspective

This joint ABAC/PECC report provides a business-level perspective on the benefits and barriers to engaging in international commerce.

1/07/2019

Article

China’s international investment strategy: A contentious issue

A new book on China’s International Investment Strategy has just been published, combining legal, economic and international relations perspectives.

18-19/06/2019

APEC workshop report

World Bank Group - Australia - APEC investment policy reform

This report discusses the outcomes of the World Bank - Australia - APEC investment policy reform workshop.

24/04/2019

Background paper

Increasing the competitiveness of APEC economies through greater international engagement in education

This paper looks at education as a powerful determinant of social and economic development, and how critical it is to innovation.

1/03/2019

APEC workshop report

APEC workshop report on ‘Improving professional licensure in APEC’

This report focuses on the workshop's outcomes, including how APEC can address barriers to professional licensing and facilitate trade in professional services.

02/2019

APEC policy report

Update to the FTAAP opportunity: a report to ABAC

This ABAC report outlines the pathways to FTAAP in the face of rising nationalism and anti-globalisation sentiments around the world.

1/11/2018

Article

Digital trade in Asia Pacific FTAs – building blocks for global rules

The Comprehensive Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP) contains the most comprehensive rules on e-commerce and digital trade of any FTA to date.

10-12/10/2018

Background paper

The economics of trade agreements: An introduction

The purpose of this paper is to equip readers with an understanding of the economic drivers of free trade and to apply these concepts to the PNG context.

9/08/2018

APEC workshop report

APEC seminar on ‘Increasing the competitiveness of the telecommunications sector’ report

This report focuses on the seminar's outcomes and the new technologies available to the telecommunications sector.

1/06/2018

Article

Digital trade and services - Guiding frameworks for regulation of digital trade in services

Developing an enabling environment for access to and delivery of ‘digital services’ is a new focus in APEC.

1/06/2018

Article

The new trade agenda, mutual recognition and BREXIT

International trade policy is changing rapidly. Trade flows of goods are now dominated by global supply chains of commodities and manufactures, sustained by growing services trade.

1/02/2018

Article

A perfect storm for globalisation?

A number of factors have combined to produce a perfect storm for globalisation – resulting in a more complex and ever-evolving landscape for business.

01/11/2017

APEC policy report

ABAC/RMIT report - 'Digital entrepreneurship across the APEC region'

Graduate students from RMIT University prepared a report on Digital entrepreneurship across the APEC region. This was presented to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

1/11/2017

Article

Future tensed over globalisation?

After the 2008 global financial crisis, G20 leaders signed a pledge in November 2008 to avoid protectionist measures.

1/07/2017

Article

PRC infrastructure: A lot done, a long way to go

It is well known the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is a heavyweight when it comes to infrastructure investment.

1/03/2017

Article

Why penalising imports is a bad idea

Discussions on how to discourage imports and foster exports to gain more from international trade and create jobs domestically are gaining momentum.

1/03/2017

Article

Asian infrastructure: lifting private finance and institutional investment?

Infrastructure investment has moved up the political agenda all over the world.

1/11/2016

Article

The uncertain evolution of multilateral trade in services

The global development of digital technologies and the rise of liberalisation policies in the public services sector is increasingly blurring boundaries.

1/11/2016

Article

The participation of small business in Asian global value chains

The international division of labour has opened up opportunities for firms, increasingly including small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).

14/12/2020

Research Report

A Path to Viet Nam - Opportunities and Market Insights for Australian Business

This report directs the spotlight on economic and commercial opportunities in Viet Nam and supports Australian
businesses to achieve these goals.

18/08/2019

APEC workshop report

Services trade competitiveness report

This report discusses the outcomes of the workshop on services trade competitiveness.

1/07/2019

Article

Australia’s newest FTAs with Hong Kong and Indonesia - towards a more open APEC services environment

Australia recently signed bilateral free trade agreements with Indonesia and Hong Kong, China.

07-08/05/2019

APEC workshop report

Gender data - 'Advancing women's economic empowerment through data workshop'

This report discusses the outcomes of the gender data workshop delivered by Chile and Australia in the margins of SOM2.

23-24/04/2019

APEC workshop report

APSC - ABAC Public-Private Dialogue on services in the digital era report

This report looks at the outcomes of the PPD and how best to implement the APEC Services Competitiveness Roadmap in the digital era.

1/03/2019

Background paper

Improving professional licensure in APEC

This paper focuses on professional licensure as one policy measure that affects the ability of professionals to provide services outside their home jurisdiction.

1/11/2018

Article

Accounting for the Sustainable Development Goals is crucial

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are playing an important role in aligning business and government activities with the need for a fairer and environmentally sustainable world.

1/11/2018

Article

Asia’s digital revolution: A new wave of digital innovation is reshaping Asia, raising the region’s growth potential

Asia is embracing the digital revolution. But what does this mean?

10/10/2018

Background paper

Blockchain for development report

In this report, we examine the potential of blockchain for developing economies, with a focus on Papua New Guinea.

20-21/06/2018

Background paper

Digital financial literacy

Increasing access to and use of financial services through digitalisation of these services is a major priority in Papua New Guinea.

1/06/2018

Article

Where to with APEC's investment framework?

APEC is now embarking on an important review of a post 2020 vision for a region which has as its fundamental objective the Bogor goals of open trade and investment.

1/02/2018

Article

Workforce ready challenges in the Asia Pacific: A regional wicked problem?

The successful transition of recent graduates from education to job is central to achieving sustainable development and building resilient economies.

1/02/2018

Article

Regaining the consensus for globalisation

It was not very long ago when discussions about globalisation were so hopeful. Globalisation was an irreversible and unambiguous force for good.

1/11/2017

Article

Power of parity for APEC

Persistent gender inequality not only stunts women’s potential; it is also a huge opportunity cost for the world economy.

1/11/2017

Article

Coping with emergencies: Bushfires in Chile and in Australia

Most APEC economies have been affected by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fire, floods and hurricanes.

1/07/2017

Article

Building a digital trading regime in Asia and the Pacific

Today, we can say with certainty that trade is going consistently and irrevocably digital.

1/03/2017

Article

Enhancing foreign direct investment policy in APEC

Open trade and investment by 2020 is at the heart of APEC’s regional investment agenda.

1/03/2017

Article

Enhancing labour mobility in the APEC region

APEC leaders have declared that 'much work needs to be done to ease existing barriers to interaction and mobility...'

1/11/2016

Article

ASEAN: Escaping from a shallow integration

The economic growth of East Asia has outperformed the world’s growth for the last 2 decades.

Research report

How APEC can address restrictions on cross-border data flows

Within APEC, cross-border data flows are transforming international trade, creating new opportunities for participation in the global economy. Use of data and digital technologies such as AI should also drive increased productivity and economic growth.

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