ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS LEADERS SUPPORT ON EDUCATION ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
May 24, 1998 -Today, at its 31st International General Meeting, the Pacific Basin
Economic Council (PBEC) applauded the decision of the APEC leaders to develop a work
program on electronic commerce that recognizes the leading role of the private sector.
PBEC also called for broad educational measures to support its continued growth.
PBEC believes that the facilitation of electronic commerce will increase global economic
growth, and advances made in electronic commerce will benefit business in every sector and
consumers across the globe. Advances in computer and telecommunications technologies and
services promise to streamline and expand global commerce. The progressive implementation
of these technologies and services has enabled businesses in all parts of the world to
expand their sales and lower their costs.
PBEC believes that despite the complexity and diversity of the legal and policy issues
surrounding electronic commerce, there are certain broad principles that are essential to
its successful development. Governments everywhere should recognize the leading role of
the business sector in the development of electronic commerce and they should avoid
imposing unnecessary restrictions. When legislation is necessary, the rules should be
simple, balanced, and within a legal framework that is consistent across international
borders. Governments should lead by example by maximizing usage of electronic commerce in
their own activities.
PBEC’s work on electronic commerce will be grounded in education. PBEC will encourage
region-wide educational activities to foster understanding and increased usage of
electronic commerce. PBEC will work in partnership with governments in the run-up to the
November 1998 APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in promoting broader
understanding of electronic commerce and its implications. PBEC believes that APEC’s
work program, and that of the APEC Business Advisory Council, must take into consideration
the needs and interests of users of electronic commerce in order to realize the economic
and social benefits of electronic commerce in the region.
PBEC, an association of senior business leaders representing more than 1,100 major
corporations in 20 economies around the Pacific, account for more than US$ 4 trillion in
global sales and employ more than 10 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 recently celebrated its
30th anniversary, making it the Asia Pacific’s most senior business organization, and
respected as the voice of business in the Pacific.
Contact:
Stephen Olson
PBEC International Secretariat
900 Fort Street, Suite 1080
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 USA
Tel. 521-9044 ext. 17
Fax.521-8530
E-mail: steve@pbec.org