PACIFIC BASIN ECONOMIC COUNCIL
MAIN PAGE | EVENTS & PROGRAMS | 1999 | AUCKLAND & FIJI VISIT

Robert Lees, PBEC Secretary General, recently traveled to Auckland, New Zealand to meet with key members of the PBEC New Zealand Member Committee. The visit was in preparation for PBEC's upcoming Mid-Term Meeting, which will be held there 7-9 May 1999. The highlight of the trip was a meeting with the organizers of the 1999 APEC CEO Summit, which will take place that same week in conjunction with the APEC leaders conference. Lees met with John Maasland, Chairman, John Lindsay, Chief Executive, Anatole Bogatski, Operations Director, and several board members of CEO Summit Inc. Lees described the visit as "extremely productive," and as a result of the discussions, PBEC will be an official co-organizer of this important event. "We are now entering what may prove to be the most critical phase in APEC's history," Lees said. "Despite whatever shortcomings might be attributed to APEC, it still has tremendous potential to be a powerful force for stimulating trade, investment and prosperity throughout the region." "It is strongly in our interest to do what we can to help APEC succeed," he said. "Playing a leadership role in ensuring a highly successful CEO Sommit is one of the best ways we can do this." PBEC will collaborate with CEO Summit Inc. in developing and expanding program themes, inviting speakers and delegates, and planning special roundtable and breakout sessions. PBEC Chairman Helmut Sohmen will chair the important plenary session entitled "Japan, PRC, USA." Lees then traveled to Fiji, to meet with PBEC members there. At the invitation of PBEC Fiji Member Committee Chairman Gerald Barrack and Secretary General Ken Roberts, Lees met with the Fiji Employers Federation board, as well as Noel Levi, Secretary General of the South Pacific Forum. Lees then met with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his Chief Economic Analyst Sakiusa Tuisolia to discuss economic development and regional economic issues. Lees was also interviewed by the Fiji Times.