Market accessAPECExport controlsNZ and the WTOOECDTrade AgreementsTrade RelationshipsTrade and economic analysisTrade law
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APEC members have given strong support to negotiations in the World Trade Organisation to reduce trade barriers. APEC members have also cut tariffs unilaterally and through free trade agreements.
All APEC economies are required to prepare ‘Individual Action Plans’ (IAPs) which record actions taken to meet the Bogor Goals. These IAPs contain valuable information on each economy’s regulatory regimes covering issues such as tariffs, non-tariff measures, services, investment, standards, customs, intellectual property rights, mobility of business people etc.
Business facilitation enables firms to trade more efficiently by reducing transaction costs caused by unnecessary procedures and red tape.
APEC’s approach to business facilitation includes improved customs procedures, transparency of trade information, international alignment of standards, mutual recognition of certain qualifications, streamlined procedures for business travel, and an enhanced environment for e-commerce.
APEC members reduced trade facilitation costs by five percent between 2002 and 2006 and are aiming for another five percent cut by 2010.
Groups of APEC members break new ground with ‘pathfinder’ initiatives. For example, New Zealand has co-led a pathfinder project to encourage the use of electronic quarantine certificates to replace paper-based systems.
ECOTECH initiatives focus on training and other measures to improve policy capacity, particularly in developing members. Work is underway across a wide range of sectors, including science, energy and human resource development.
In addition to these activities, APEC has recently established a cooperative security agenda in recognition of the fact that a secure and safe environment is a pre-condition for economic growth and prosperity.
This agenda has helped members respond to:
