APEC drafts Manila summit action plan<\/p>\n
MANILA (AFP): More than 500 senior officials from the 18-
\nmember countries of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
\nbegan yesterday a crucial two-day forum to draw up action plans
\nto be presented at the APEC summit here in November.<\/p>\n
The officials face the daunting task of consolidating at least
\n1,512 specific plans of action for trade and investment
\nliberalization to be submitted by APEC members, said Foreign
\nAffairs undersecretary Federico Macaranas, who opened the
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
This conference, the first of four senior officials' meetings
\nto be held here prior to the November summit, will set the
\nguidelines for drafting collective and individual action plans.<\/p>\n
These plans will form the Manila Action Plan for APEC, which
\nis expected to further last year's Osaka Declaration that laid
\nthe groundwork for the opening of free trade among developed
\nmember economies by 2010 and for developing members by 2020.<\/p>\n
Despite the tight schedule, officials hope to discuss the
\nestablishment of an APEC business advisory council, and a
\n\"dispute mediation service\", Macaranas added.<\/p>\n
APEC groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong
\nKong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New
\nGuinea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan,
\nThailand, and the United States.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, U.S. officials said in Washington Tuesday that the
\nUnited States will conduct a study of trade barriers among
\nPacific Rim countries with an eye toward liberalizing trade and
\ninvestment.<\/p>\n
The International Trade Commission said it will carry out a
\nstudy of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum countries
\nrequested by U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor.<\/p>\n
Washington is evaluating U.S. participation in the APEC
\nprocess in 1996.<\/p>\n
The trade commission will also examine tariff liberalization
\nin areas with a high percentage of trade among APEC nations.<\/p>\n
The main report will be delivered to Kantor on May 31, with
\nsome parts due earlier. The ITC said it will seek information
\nfrom industry officials, trade associations and other parties.<\/p>",
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