Ottawa (VNA) - As a leading economic forum in the Asia-Pacificregion, APEC plays an increasingly important role in shaping and drivinginternational trade system. The organisation is facing many opportunities andchallenges at the same time.

Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent in Canada talked with Stewart Beck,President and CEO of the Asia-Pacific Foundation, who is also a member of theCanadian APEC delegation.
 
As a President of an organisationspecialising in research on Asia Pacific, what is your view on the currentopportunities and challenges facing APEC?
 
In a time of growing protectionism in other parts of the world, it isimperative that APEC economies remain committed to open and inclusive trade. Ofcourse, as with any large, international economic bloc, there are challenges.

We are noticing income gaps widening within APEC countries, and issues ofinclusion surrounding women, youth, seniors and indigenous peoples are startingto play a prevalent part in discussions surrounding trade and investment.

We are also monitoring emerging issues that are a result of our increasinglydigital world.

While the potential socio-economic levelling effect of the Internet isprofound, we are seeing a widening connectivity gap in the APEC region. Now,more than ever, a community with decreased connectivity – broadband, cable,Internet, etc. – is a community with decreased opportunities. 

Among the points you have justmentioned, which ones are the biggest opportunity and challenge, and why?
 
This is an opportunity for Canadato show leadership in many sectors, including our highly-skilled services, ourleading innovation and technology, fintech and clean tech – not to mention ourinternational work in the development of micro, small, medium enterprisesthrough our APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership.

Furthermore, the Government of Canada’s progressive trade policy is definitelyone that is admired in the region, especially in light of the recent andsuccessful passing of the Canada-EU free trade deal (CETA).

APEC’s membership is extremely diverse, and yet it boasts very stronginter-economy linkages. Meetings that will take place next week in Da Nang,from the private sector, to the ministerial meetings, all the way up to theleader summits, will provide crucial moments for the region to gather andclearly identify the needed steps to take to push the region into a new era.

With the emerging geo-economic andgeo-political trends in the region and in the world, how do you evaluate theactual role of APEC in the future, as well as on the prospect of development ofits members?
 
Strong convening power and multi-level engagement are among the biggeststrengths of APEC. In Vietnam this week, we will be able to better evaluate therole of APEC in the coming years, especially as we approach 2020, which is theself-imposed deadline for the APEC 2020 Vision.

As we look toward the future for this critical and dynamic region, at the AsiaPacific Foundation of Canada we will continue to share our applied researchcapabilities and our value-added analysis and advice with our APEC partners andstakeholders, in Vietnam and beyond.-VNA