08:00 - 18:00 hrs. REGISTRATION
07:00 - 08:30 hrs. MEMBER COMMITTEE BREAKFASTS
08:45 - 10:15 hrs. PLENARY SESSION
'A Look Into the Information Era"
One of the key economic developments of the late 20th century has been the shift towards an information-based economy. What are some of the new technological developments we can expect to see in the future, and how will they make business more competitive? The development of the internet has opened the door to electronic commerce. Following the keynote speaker, a distinguished panel representing government, technology providers and users will discuss the issues and opportunities that are raised by the advent of e-commerce.
10:1 5 - 10:30 hrs. BREAK
10:30 - 12:00 hrs. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
'Tourism and Tourism Development"
For many Asia-Pacific economies, tourism is responsible for generating a steadily increasing percentage of GDP. As per capita incomes continue to rise, swelling the ranks of the middle class, can the tourism infrastructure keep up with the increased demand created by higher disposable incomes and greater leisure time? What is the future of tourism in the region, and how can the region's tourism potential best be developed?
"Reform in Japan: Can It Meet the Challenges of the 21st Century?"
Reform of the business, financial, and regulatory environment in Japan has been much discussed and long anticipated. Will the current reforms, either now being implemented or under discussion, make a significant impact on the way business is done in Japan? As the demands and challenges of an integrated global economy, built upon trade and investment liberalization, transparency, and deregulation, continue to intensify, what course will reform take in Japan during the 21st century?
"Management Education: The Foundation of Progress"
As economic growth has exploded throughout the Asia-Pacific region, education to produce the executives required to manage this growth has not always kept pace. How should local managers be educated, and how can the quantity and quality keep pace with the rate of economic growth?
"Infrastructure Development: Meeting the Challenges of Freer Trade and Ongoing Growth" Infrastructure development throughout the Asia-Pacific has been hard pressed to keep pace with the dynamic rates of growth in the region over the past several decades. Expanding growth and booming trade will require airports, roads, bridges, and ports. As the region moves closer towards greater trade liberalization, infrastructure needs will only increase. What is the appropriate role of government, and how can business and government form the most efficient partnership to develop an infrastructure which can meet the needs of the region's growth? What mistakes have been made in the past and how can we learn from them for the future?
12:15 - 13:45 hrs. LUNCHEON
"Tackling Corruption: The Need For Business To Take the Lead"
Corruption has long been a deeply ingrained reality of doing business in many countries around the world, sapping away productivity and efficiency in every economy it infects. Is the tide of reform sweeping through Asia strong enough to finally force both business and government to meaningfully address this longstanding problem? What role can business play?
14:00 - 15:30 hrs. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS
"Fishing, Forestry, and Mining: Reconciling Growing Demand with Conservation"
For many Asia-Pacific countries, these natural resources are integral components of the regional economy. What are the opportunities for these resources in the future? And how can the growing need to exploit these resources be balanced with the necessity of responsible conservation and the development of renewable resources to avoid environmental degradation?
'Automotive Industry: Opportunities for Growth, Potential for Conflict"
Few industries have played as important a role in spurring growth in economies throughout the region as the automotive sector. The automotive industry is a sector characterized by not only tremendous potential growth, but also very high profile trade disputes, and intense competition. How can we best manage automotive trade to maximize regional growth, but minimize trade friction? How can the industry continue to grow, and avoid the stumbling blocks created by protectionism and trade disputes? How can the region best rationalize its production to maximize efficiency?
'Maritime Transport: A Link Through the Pacific"
The exchange of goods through the region constitutes the material bond that joins all of the economies of the Pacific Rim and makes them interdependent in their development. As expanding volumes of trade place greater demands on the maritime transportation network, economies throughout the region will be pressured to develop a more open, integrated, and efficient system of maritime transport. As we enter the 21st century, what are the key issues and challenges confronting both business and government in the Asia-Pacific region in developing the most efficient system of maritime transport?
Maintaining Political Stability in the Face of Economic Hardships"
The ongoing financial turmoil in Asia has brought with it rising unemployment, declining real incomes, shortages of essential products, and in some cases, increasing class and racial divisions in some countries. These elements form a combustible mix which could threaten to ignite into social unrest. How can governments in the region ensure political and social stability during the current turmoil?
1 5:30 - 1 5:45 hrs. BREAK
15:45 - 17:15 hrs. PLENARY SESSION
'Cities: Intense Challenges, Progressive Solutions"
Cities are the center of economic, intellectual and financial energy and dynamism, and are often the engine of growth for the entire economy. However, cities also serve as a microcosm for problems which can confront the larger economy as well. Cities are often first challenged to 're-invent" themselves economically. Cities are the place where environmental problems such as air pollution are most acute, infrastructure problems such as insufficient roads and mass transit systems come to a head, real estate bubbles burst, and immigration strains are most severe. Some of the most innovative, progressive, and cutting-edge approaches for dealing with these issues are being developed in certain cities throughout the region. This session will provide an opportunity for the dynamic mayors of key cities from the region to share their experiences.
1 7:1 5 - 1 7:30 hrs. BREAK
17:30 - 19:00 hrs. PLENARY SESSION
'Free Trade in the Americas: Are there lessons for the Pacific Region?"
The United States, Canada, and Mexico have established a ground breaking trilateral trading regime, building upon, and in many cases, substantially exceeding the level of liberalization achieved by other multilateral and regional trade initiatives. The road to free trade has not always been a smooth one, however. Divisive political and public opinion battles have been fought, and difficult adjustments in each economy have been made. What can the Asia Pacific region learn from the experiences of the United States, Canada, and Mexico?
Evening MEMBER COMMITTEE RECEPTIONS