Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting, the ABAC 2006 Chair Hoang Van Dung said ABAC discussed issues relating to business, trade and recommendations to submit to APEC economic leaders.

In its report to APEC economic leaders, ABAC put forward six important recommendations urging APEC economic leaders to make greater efforts in resuming the Doha round, resolving disputes and promoting trade liberalisation; ABAC is concerned with the rising number of bilateral deals as they might make trade activities more complicated and costly; and want economic leaders to improve business operation conditions in the region; and capacity building to cope with challenges; to encourage wider use of technology; and to deal with fake goods.

The ABAC 2007 Chair, Mark Johnson of Australia, announced ABAC’s priorities for 2007, including supporting proposals from the ABAC 2006 meeting and other big issues such as trade liberalisation and facilitation, energy, and security.

On November 18, ABAC members will have a dialogue with APEC economic leaders. This will be a chance for enterprises to convey their proposals to economic leaders about issues relating to trade and economics in APEC region, Mr Dung said.