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.

Unlocking the economic potential of remote areas

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

World Bank Group - Australia - APEC investment policy reform

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Coping with emergencies: Bushfires in Chile and in Australia

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

Global infrastructure outlook

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

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.

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...'

Enhancing foreign direct investment policy in APEC

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

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.

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...

Services trade competitiveness report

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Blockchain for development report

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

Digital financial literacy

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Whither Trump Trade Policy?

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

Asian infrastructure: lifting private finance and institutional investment?

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

OECD - Australian services trade in the global economy

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

Supply chains on blockchains

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

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.

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.

Future tensed over globalisation?

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

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.

Building a digital trading regime in Asia and the Pacific

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

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.

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.

ASEAN: Escaping from a shallow integration

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

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.