2015 APEC meeting to focus on inclusive, sustained growth

The Philippines has identified four priorities to host next year's meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which is expected to ensure that a sustained regional economic growth will result in tangible benefits on people's lives, senior officials said on Monday.

Under the theme "Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World," the priorities include enhancing regional integration, mainstreaming small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in global and regional markets, investing in human capital development, and building sustainable and resilient economies, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said at an APEC Informal Senior Officials Meeting.

The meeting, held in the Philippine capital of Manila on Monday and Tuesday, is the first one among the various APEC meetings leading to the 23rd APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in November 2015.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said the priorities are designed to ensure continuity of past and ongoing work, and promote balance and relevance to each economy's domestic and regional needs.

"We believe that these priorities will help lead towards a sustained, inclusive, and resilient growth in the Asia Pacific region, and we hope to obtain your support in advancing these strategic priorities," he said.

Ochoa praised China for what the country had done in hosting the APEC meetings in 2014.

"Under China's Chairmanship, the APEC's strategic relevance in the region has been advanced, as embodied in the 2014 APEC leaders ' Declaration, and we shall strive to build on these gains in our hosting year," said Ochoa.

It has been almost two decades since the Philippines last hosted the APEC meetings in 1996.