APEC to focus on services sector in 2015 integration

CEBU, Philippines - Senior officials of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are focusing on the services sector, the major vein that further integrates its 21 member economies.

Member economies will continue the discussions during the public-private dialog on services started in Surabaya in 2013, Department of Foreign Affairs  Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said in her welcome speech during the start of APEC's first Senior Officials Meeting (SOM-1) in Clark, Pampanga Friday.

"Services will be the main focus of our host this year, because services form part of the connectivity aspects of the Asia Pacific," she said.

During the two-day meeting, APEC senior officials will build on the priorities set in another meeting held in China last year and the earlier dialogs held late last year.

"We senior officials will lay down the groundwork policy direction of APEC 2015, which are built upon last year's priorities of China which revolved around putting innovative development, economic reform and growth, and strengthening comprehensive connectivity and infrastructure development," Del Rosario, who chairs the APEC 2015 SOM-1, said.

"As senior officials, we shall take note of all the recommendations made by the working group as well as consider how to advance initiatives particularly those that cross-cut three APEC committees namely CTI- Committee on Trade and Investment, Economic Committee and the Senior Committee on Economic Technical Cooperation," she added.

The APEC 2015 Summit kicked off on December 1, 2014, during which President Benigno Aquino III led the opening ceremonies.

Various APEC meetings will be held across the country in preparation for the World Leaders’ Summit on November 17 and 18, 2015.

These areas include Pampanga, Manila, Bataan, Albay, Tagaytay City, Iloilo, Boracay Island, Bacolod City and Cebu. (Wires)