PACIFIC BASIN ECONOMIC COUNCIL
UNITED STATES MEMBER COMMITTEE

A Forum for U.S. Business in the Pacific The Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) is an association of senior business leaders from throughout the Pacific Rim dedicated to expanding trade and investment through fostering open markets. Founded in 1967, PBEC serves as the key organization through which regional executives create business relationships, encourage increased trade and investment, support open markets to lower trade barriers, and address emerging issues likely to shape the Pacific and global economies. PBEC's multinational membership includes more than 1,100 companies located in 20 economies. The PBEC US Member Committee is located in Washington, DC. It focuses on policy issues faced by US business, sponsors seminars with government, business, and academic leaders, and promotes programs to encourage bilateral and multilateral business ventures. PBEC US is active on policy issues important to business ranging from biotechnology and food trade to financial services regulatory reforms to policies and programs to optimize the use of information technology and electronic commerce. While working on international trade and investment issues PBEC US promotes policies that ensure American engagement and leadership in the region. PBEC US works with the belief that close and constructive U.S. relations with countries in the Pacific Rim are essential for stability and prosperity in the region, and that economic reforms and policy decisions in the next few years will shape the business climate and prospects for sustained economic growth for years to come. PBEC US joins PECC US in New Asia Pacific Council November 18, 2002 In a reorganization that will provide PBEC US members with new opportunities to engage Asia-Pacific decision makers, PBEC-US has agreed to become a key component of a newly formed United States Asia Pacific Council. Operating under the aegis of the East-West Center, the Council will provide secretariat services to both PBEC-US and the US member committee of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC). While continuing to serve the interests of its members in the international PBEC organization, PBEC-US now looks forward to participating in and supporting activities of a larger network involving PECC, the US Asia Pacific Council and the East-West Center. PBEC US Chairman Advocates Full U.S. Engagement with Vietnam July 18, 2002 In testimony on July 18 before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, PBEC US Chairman Gary Benanav (Chairman and CEO of New York Life International) urged Congressional action to support continued Normal Trade Relations with Vietnam through a renewed waiver of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. Noting the importance of this issue not only to the U.S. and Vietnam, but the entire Asia Pacific region as well, Benanav supported steps to ensure Vietnam's integration into the world community of nations. To assist Vietnam with these steps, Benanav endorsed multilateral and bilateral capacity building efforts and technical assistance. PBEC US Vice Chairman Addresses IGM in Kuala Lumpur May3-7, 2002 PBEC US Vice Chairman John Wadsworth of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter chaired a session on China and the WTO and was among many distinguished speakers at the 35th International General Meeting where business executives from around the Pacific region came together. Many PBEC US members attended and participated in the conference, which drew people from every PBEC economy. The meeting served as a platform for the international business community to come together to develop a plan to increase regional cooperation and set the stage for the future of these economies. Biotechnology Issues and Concerns Discussed at Mexico Conference February 23, 2002 The PBEC Working Committee on Agri-Business & World Markets brought together experts from industry, academia and government from throughout the region for a conference, "APEC and Biotech: Communication and Cooperation," to discuss biotechnology issues in Mexico City. Among those topics discussed include public communication, regulatory, and trade issues. The conference's results were reported to the APEC High-Level Policy Dialogue on Biotechnology the following day. PBEC U.S. Annual Policy Conference: Getting Back to Basics February 14, 2002 The PBEC US Member Committee brought business, academia, and government together for a discussion of the security and business challenges in the Pacific Rim in light of the September 11 attacks. Speakers provided both regional and sectoral perspectives on the post 9/11 imperatives of cooperating to counter terrorism and restore public confidence and economic growth as called for by APEC Leaders in Shanghai. Pacific Current Newsletter Spring 2002 Download the latest edition of "Pacific Current," the quarterly newsletter of the PBEC U.S. Member Committee. (Also available, the previous issue from Winter 2002.) PBEC US Member Committee 1819 L Street, NW, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 293-1093 Fax: (202) 289-1940 E-Mail: dhotz@pbecus.org