| ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS LEADERS TO CONSIDER CHALLENGES TO PACIFIC PROSPERITY
April 14, 1998 The most important business leaders from throughout Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas will be meeting in Santiago, Chile from May 25th to May 27th, at the 31st annual International General Meeting (IGM) of the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC). These senior corporate executives will join with government leaders from throughout the Asia-Pacific to explore strategies for sustaining Pacific prosperity into the next century. The Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) is an association of senior business leaders representing more than 1,200 major corporations in 20 economies around the Pacific. PBEC's International General Meeting is an opportunity for the region's foremost corporate executives to gather with other international leaders, to discuss, in a frank and intimate setting, the key issues in the regional economy, and to publicly issue policy recommendations and statements. The IGM typically includes major addresses given by heads of government, governmental ministers, leaders of prominent international organizations, and senior executives of some of the largest corporations in the region. PBEC Chairman Gary L. Tooker commented, Given the impressive array of participants, the PBEC IGM will undoubtedly be a major contribution to ongoing efforts to address the serious challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific region today. This year's event features an especially impressive list of speakers and delegates. The opening address will be given by Chilean President Eduardo Frei. other prominent participants include Indonesian vice President B.J. Habibie, U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen, and from the private sector, Yoshihide Munekuni, the Chairman of automotive giant Honda, and PBEC Chairman Tooker, who is Chairman of Motorola Inc. The World Bank, the IMF, and the United Nations are to shortly confirm high level participation. The theme of the 3181 IGM is "Pacific Prosperity: Sustaining Momentum into the 21st Century'. Given the recent financial difficulties in the region, this year's IGM promises to be especially topical. The agenda will address all the key issues and challenges now confronting the region, including the role of the IMF, exchange rate fluctuations, corruption, reform of financial institutions, and tactics to prevent the next crisis. PBEC will also use the occasion of the IGM to present its first Business Excellence Award, to Akio Morita, founder of Sony. A full agenda and registration materials may be obtained through the contact information listed below. PBEC member corporations account for more than US$4.25 trillion in global sales and employ more than 10.9 million people. The unprecedented scope of PBEC's membership constitutes a broad and balanced reservoir of international business knowledge, unmatched in credibility and expertise. PBEC has recently celebrated its 30" anniversary, making it the Asia-Pacific's oldest and most senior regional trade organization. PBEC is the voice of business in the Pacific - and this year's International General Meeting promises to be a "can't miss" event. Back |