INCHEON, REPUBLIC OF KOREA (2 May 2023) — PBEC’s longest strategic partner, The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today announced the Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and the Pacific (IF-CAP), a landmark program which could significantly ramp up support for the region in the battle against climate change. The announcement was made by ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa on the opening day of ADB’s 56th Annual Meeting in Incheon. “Climate change is the critical issue of our lifetime and here…
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Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, 30 April 2023 – APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) members this week urged APEC Trade Ministers to leverage the challenges facing the region, including environmental risks, financial stress and the cost-of-living crisis, as opportunities to firmly place the region on a new path of economic inclusion, resilience, and sustainability. Separate letters to APEC trade ministers and transportation ministers and statements on the WTO and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific capture ABAC’s views. 2023 ABAC…
PBEC Trade Report May 2023 US CALLS OUT EU GI POLICY: The USTR has again called out what it describes as the EU’s aggressive promotion of its exclusionary geographical indications (GI) policies. In an IP report the US said it remained concerned with the EU’s proposed expansion of its GI system to cover non-agriculture and food products. AUSTRALIA-EU FTA TALKS: A 15th Australia-EU FTA negotiating round between was held in Brussels during the week. A large Australian contingent travelled for…
Dear PBEC Community, I am pleased to share my initial reaction and thoughts to our wonderful PBEC delegation trip to the Philippines on 19-20th April 2023 in Manila held at New World Makati Hotel, and our subsequent economic estate official visit to LIMA Technology Center, in Lipa Batangas City- by ABOITIZ INFRACAPITAL Inc. The welcome and feedback we received from the PBEC delegates themselves, the official speakers and Government representatives from across APAC proved nothing quite beats meeting people face to face…
In this episode PBEC is joined by Father and Son President Yasuhiro Kunieda and Eita Kunieda of Suzuran Medical Inc a Japanese family business established for over180 years in the manufacturing of cotton products such as cotton bedding, sanitary, childcare, hygiene and cosmetic lines. We talk to Eita about the challenges faced in their supply chains during covid, with majority of production taking place within Mainland China. Rising costs and shifts in consumer purchasing from in shops to online. How…
In this episode PBEC is joined by the co-authors Dr. Neale O’Connor Professor of Accounting previously of Monash University Malaysia from his new University Edith Cowan in Perth and Anson Bailey Head of Consumer and Retail AsPAC & Head of Technology at KPMG in China, of our most recent and comprehensive trade report on regional trends in Global Sourcing entitled “Chartering a New Course in Asia Pacific”. Supply chain operability affects every organization and sits highly on the list of…
Dear PBEC members, Please find attached a letter of invitation via one of our partner organisation’s Australia ASEAN Chamber of Commerce courtesy of our own PBEC Board of Director Deborah Biber from the APEC and ASEAN Business Advisory Council’s of Brunei. This invitation invites you to consider attending the Brunei Business Conference on the 27th to 30th of April 2023 being held at The Empire, Brunei and the related events around the APEC Business Advisory Council along with the conference…
Regional trends in global sourcing As businesses assess their operational capacity needs for a predicted bumpy recovery, to recalibrate during and post-pandemic, it is crucial to understand what brought us to this point and where it is likely leading us. The Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC), Monash University Malaysia and KPMG, together with contributions from PBEC members, are pleased to publish this report on global sourcing, reviewing the most recently announced supply chain and sourcing movements in the region, charting…
PBEC Trade Report March 2023 AUSTRALIA LOOKING FOR CHINA TRADE PROGRESS: Australian trade officials are expected to continue talks with their Chinese counterparts this week ahead of an anticipated visit by Trade Minister Farrell. He told Sky News during the week he was confident some progress would be made on outstanding issues. TRADE MINISTERS HEAD TO NEW ZEALAND: Trade Ministers from CPTPP FTA economies will head to Auckland in July for a 7th CPTPP Commission. NZ will be hosting the…
4 March 2023 – The Antarctic Climate Expedition led by Dr Sylvia Earle was concluded on the 23 Feb, 2023. It has proved to be a deeply rewarding and inspiring journey for PBEC’s Asia Climate Advocate Natalie Chung. 116 experts from interdisciplinary backgrounds representing different cultures came together in Antarctica to discuss and champion resolutions to accelerate net zero emissions by 2035. Natalie described, “The expedition filled me with fear and hope. Fear from the accelerated environmental change witnessed in…