Asian countries unite to address digital divide

Begun as an informal dialogue group, APEC has since become the primary regional vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic co-operation. The grouping represents almost two-thirds of the world's population and wealth and almost half its trade.

The summit published a joint ministerial statement calling for the promotion of strong asset management practices to ensure legal and proper use of software and other IP assets by users. It called for everyone in the APEC region to have access to the opportunities presented by information communication technology (ICT) networks.

During the conference the leaders of APEC called for a new round of global trade talks and acknowledged that a digital divide could further widen social and economic disparities across the region. One of the themes of the event was how to develop the region's capabilities to excel as knowledge-based economies.

Further work is being carried out to examine ways to enhance interaction among IT professionals and to "ensure, a public-private partnership to create digital opportunities and spread the benefits of the new economy throughout all segments of society".

Praise was heaped on bizAPEC.com, a website established under the initiative of the Improved APEC Internet Services for Business to promote and facilitate trade in the APEC region.

The organisation was formed in 1989 in response to growing interdependence amongst Asia-Pacific economies. The 21 members range from the USA and China to the Philippines and Peru.

For further information, visit:
http://www.apecsec.org.sg/
http://www.bizapec.com

By Nik Hole