ABAC APEC Business Advisory Council
APEC Business Advisory Council. Established in 1995, this is a permanent council composed of up to three senior business people from each member economy to provide advice on implementation of APEC action plans and on other specific business sector priorities.

ABTC APEC Business Travel Card
The APEC Business Travel Card scheme provides bona fide frequent business travelers with visa-free travel and expedited airport processing when visiting participating economies.

ADB Asian Development Bank

AFTA ASEAN Free Trade Area

AFS APEC Food System
The APEC Food System (AFS) was established in February 1999 as a ad hoc task force. It is a joint and cross-cutting action being implemented by all APEC Member Economies and APEC Fora to achieve three food related goals - the development of rural infrastructure, the promotion of trade in food products, and the dissemination of technological advances in food production and processing. These goals are all aimed at improving the efficiency of food production and trade for the benefit of APEC Member Economies.

ATCWG Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group
Agricultural Technical Cooperation Working Group (ATCWG) was established in 1996 as a formal APEC body. Two prior meetings agreed on a work program of joint activities to enhance agriculture's contribution to the region's economic growth and social well-being and developed a framework for undertaking those cooperative activities. Following SOM I in 1999, the ATCEG has expanded the scope of its priority areas incorporating part of Food, Energy, the Environment, Economic growth and Population (FEEEP) joint actions; (a) food and agricultural related research and development; (b) trade and other matters; and (c) food and agricultural environmental issues.

APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
These initials stand for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. APEC was established in 1989 and is the primary vehicle for promoting open trade and practical economic cooperation. Its goal is to advance Asia-Pacific economic activity and sense of community among the 21 APEC Member Economies.

APEC Fora
APEC has a number of different groups working in the areas of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and economic and technical cooperation contributing to the achievement of APEC goals. Certain committees, ad hoc groups, experts groups and working groups are known individually as an APEC Forum and collectively as APEC Fora.

APEC Forum
APEC has a number of different groups working in the areas of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and economic and technical cooperation contributing to the achievement of APEC goals. Certain committees, ad hoc groups, expert groups and working groups are known individually as an APEC Forum and collectively as APEC Fora.

APEC Secretariat
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat is based at 35 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore 119616 Tel: (65) 6775-6012 Fax: (65) 6775-6013 Website: www.apec.org

ASC APEC Study Centers
APEC Study Centers (ASC) were established in 1993 as part of the APEC Leaders' Education Initiative. Currently there are ASCs in 19 APEC Member Economies, made up of some 100 universities, research centers and centers of academic excellence across the APEC region.

ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of three organizations with APEC Official Observer status. The other two observers are: Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

BMC Budget and Management Committee
The Budget and Management Committee (BMC) advises the Senior Officials? Meeting (SOM) on budgetary, administrative and managerial issues. Its key responsibility is to prepare the budget for APEC and recommend the approval of projects. The BMC also monitors and evaluates project management aspects of the operations of Committees and Working Groups and makes recommendations to SOM for improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Clearing House
A website that provides fast and direct access to information about a general subject area and links to a selection of related websites.

CTI Committee on Trade and Investment
The Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) was established in 1993 as a result of a Declaration on a Trade and Investment Framework to increase economic activity and facilitate the flow of goods and services among member economies. This committee coordinates APEC's work on the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment.

CTTF Counter Terrorism Task Force
The Counter Terrorism Task Force (CTTF) was set up by Senior Officials in February 2003. It assists economies to identify and assess counter-terrorism needs, co-ordinates capacity building and technical assistance programs, cooperates with international and regional organizations and facilitates cooperation between APEC Fora on counter-terrorism issues.

CFPN Cultural Focal Point Network
The APEC Cultural Focal Point Network (CFPN) seeks to promote cultural exchanges between APEC economies thereby helping to foster mutual understanding, to enhance APEC's visibility and to advance APEC's vision of an Asia-Pacific Community.

Dialogues
There a few industry-business dialogues in APEC. They serve as a forum for government officials and senior industry representatives to work together in their respective areas. These dialogues are-

EAP Ecotech Action Plan
Ecotech Action Plan. A tool to track individual and collective efforts in economic and technical cooperation.

EC Economic Committee
The Economic Committee (EC) was established by APEC members in 1994. The Committee analyses economic trends and issues in support of APEC's trade and investment liberalization facilitation and economic and technical cooperation agendas.

ECSG Electronic Commerce Steering Group
The Electronic Commerce Steering Group (ECSG) was established by the SOM in February 1999. It acts as a coordinating role for APEC e-commerce activities, based on the principles set out in the 1998 APEC Blueprint for Action on Electronic Commerce. The ECSG is committed to promoting and facilitating the development and use of electronic commerce by creating legal, regulatory and policy environments in the APEC region that are predictable, transparent and consistent. Its mandate has been extended by the SOM to February 2005.

ECOTECH Economic and Technical Cooperation
"ECOTECH" or economic and technical cooperation forms one of the three pillars of APEC activity. ECOTECH covers a variety of capacity-building and information sharing activities conducted by APEC bodies. These are aimed at enhancing members' - especially developing members' - ability to benefit from the liberalization agenda and reducing disparities within the diverse APEC region. APEC Ministers have directed that ECOTECH work should focus on six priority areas: developing human capital, developing stable, safe and efficient capital markets, strengthening economic infrastructure, harnessing technologies for the future, safeguarding the quality of life through environmentally sound growth, and developing and strengthening the dynamism of small and medium sized enterprises.

ECH ECOTECH Clearing House
The ECOTECH Clearing House website provided access to a central authorative ECOTECH information resource. The Clearing House included an ECOTECH information exchange which promotes partnerships in economic and technical cooperation. The ECH has been discontinued.

ECOTECH Information Xchange
The ECOTECH Information Xchange was an informal public discussion forum for sharing ECOTECH related information and experience. It was opened to APEC personnel and anybody in the wider economic and technical cooperation community. Everyone can view discussion and survey topics "posted" to the Information Xchange. However only registered users can add a message to a discussion topic, set up a new topic or survey others.

EWG Energy Working Group
The Energy Working Group (EWG), launched in 1990, seeks to maximize the energy sector's contribution to the region's economic and social well-being, while mitigating the environmental effects of energy supply and use. The EWG contributes to decision-making through: discussion of members' energy policies and planning priorities; sharing basic resource demand and supply outlook data and considering the regional energy policy implications; and responses to wide-ranging energy-related issues.

ESC SOM Committee on ECOTECH
The SOM Committee on ECOTECH assists the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in coordinating and managing APEC's ECOTECH agenda and identifying value-added initiatives for cooperative action. The ESC advances the effective implementation of the 1996 Manila Framework for Strengthening Economic and Technical Cooperation and Development by consulting APEC Fora and developing policy management tools and guidelines for projects.

EVSL Early Voluntary Sectoral Liberalization
Early Voluntary Sectoral Liberalization (EVSL) refers to the identification of sectors where early voluntary liberalization would have a positive impact on trade, investment, and economic growth in the individual APEC economies as well as in the region. EVSL is based on the principle of voluntarism and the establishment of mutually beneficial packages.

FEEEP
These initials are the abbreviation for Food, Energy, the Environment, Economic Growth and Population.

FWG Fisheries Working Group
The Fisheries Working Group (FWG) was created by the SOM in 1991. It aims to: promote the conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources; promote sustainable development of aquaculture and habitat preservation; seek solutions to common fisheries resource management problems and aquaculture disease control; enhance food safety and quality of fish and fisheries products; and promote sector-specific work relating to trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

Fora
APEC has a number of different groups working in the areas of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and economic and technical cooperation contributing to the achievement of APEC goals. Certain committees, ad hoc groups, expert groups and working groups are known individually as an APEC Forum and collectively as APEC Fora.

Forum
APEC has a number of different groups working in the areas of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation and economic and technical cooperation contributing to the achievement of APEC goals. Certain committees, ad hoc groups, expert groups and working groups are known individually as an APEC Forum and collectively as APEC Fora.

FMP Finance Ministers' Process
The APEC Finance Ministers' Process (FMP) provides an annual forum for APEC Member Economies to exchange views and information on regional financial developments and to pursue cooperative programs that promote financial sector development and liberalization.

GFPN Gender Focal Point Network
The Gender Focal Point Network (GFPN) was established in October 2002. Its main objective is to advance the implementation of the Framework for the Integration of Women in APEC and the work of the SOM Ad-hoc Advisory Group on Gender Integration (AGGI) in maintaining awareness of gender issues.

GOS Group on Services
APEC's Group on Services (GOS) works on trade and investment liberalization and facilitation issues related to trade in services, and coordinates APEC's work in this area.

GPEG Government Procurement Experts Group
The Government Procurement Experts Group (GPEG) was established in 1995 to consider ways to increase transparency of government procurement markets in accordance with the goals of the Bogor Declaration. The GPEG’s work focuses on continuing the agreed process of voluntary reviews and reports by APEC Member Economies on the consistency of their government procurement framework with the APEC GPEG Non-Binding Principles (NBPs) on government procurement.

HLPDAB High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology
The High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (HLPDAB) was first convened in 2002, and is being held annually at the margins of SOMs. The HLPDAB covers a variety of issues related to agricultural biotechnology based on the private sector's recommendations.

HRD Human Resources Development

HRDWG Human Resources Development Working Group
The Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG) was established in 1990 and covers a broad range of human resources development issues from basic education to industrial training to leadership and management for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Human Resources Development (HRD) is one of the economic and technical cooperation (ECOTECH) priorities of APEC and the HRDWG has a special role in furthering the issue.

ICC International Chamber of Commerce

IEG Investment Experts' Group
The Investment Experts' Group (IEG) assists the Committee on Trade and Investment to encourage and facilitate free and open investment in the region.

ILO International Labour Organization

IMF International Monetary Fund

IPEG Intellectual Property Rights Experts' Group
The Intellectual Property Rights Experts' Group (IPEG) was established as Intellectual Property Rights Get Together (IPR-GT) to address the work required on intellectual property rights issues by the Osaka Action Agenda in 1996. In August 1997, CTI reconstituted the IPR-GT as a Subgroup with explicit terms of reference and renamed it the Intellectual Property Rights Experts' Group (IPEG). IPEG is working to support a strong and effective IPR system.

ISTWG Industrial Science and Technology Working Group
The Industrial Science and Technology Working Group (ISTWG) was formed as the Working Group on Expansion of Investment and Technology Transfer at the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Singapore in 1990. It has changed names several times since then. The ISTWG has six key priorities: improved availability of information; improved human resources development; improved business climate; contribution to sustainable development; enhanced policy dialogue and review; and facilitation of networks and partnership.

Initiative
APEC Leaders have progressively identified key strategic priorities and action plans as an outcome of their annual meetings. Within APEC, these are referred to as Initiatives. Information in the Clearing House has been classified by Initiative.

IST Industrial Science and Technology

Keyword
A keyword is a word or a phrase that has been used to classify content.

Lead Economy
The term Lead Economy is used to describe the member economy that has the prime responsibility for coordinating and managing a project or other activity.

LMI Labour Market Information

MAG Market Access Group
The Market Access Group (MAG) was established in 1998 by the Committee for Trade and Investment (CTI) to handle the CTI's work on tariffs and non-tariff measures.

MRC Marine Resource Conservation Working Group
The Marine Resource Conservation Working Group (MRC) was established in 1990. The MRC recognizes that marine resources are crucial to the economic and social well-being of the people in the region. It is committed to protecting this collective resource and to making dramatic progress toward a sustainable marine environment to ensure continuing socio-economic and environmental benefits.

Member Economy
APEC is made up of 21 Member Economies. They are: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Republic of the Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.

NTMs Tariff and Non-Tariff Measures
Tariff and non-tariff measures (NTMs) are two of the 15 specific areas outlined in the Osaka Action Agenda through which APEC Member Economies are working to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. The work is carried out by the Market Access Group (MAG) which is established by the CTI.

NFMD Non-Ferrous Metals Dialogue
The Non-Ferrous Metals Dialogue was initiated in 2003. Its primary goal is to bring together the representatives of the government and private sector to promote cooperation and interaction in the area of trade-related regulatory policy and facilitate the non-ferrous metals trade, competitiveness and sustainable development of the industry in the Asia-Pacific region.

OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Osaka Action Agenda
APEC Economic Leaders adopted the Osaka Action Agenda in 1995 which established the three pillars of APEC activity: trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation and economic and technical cooperation.

PECC Pacific Economic Cooperation Council
Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) is one of three organizations with APEC Official Observer status. The other two observers are: Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

PIF Pacific Islands Forum
PacificIslands Forum (PIF) is one of three organizations with APEC Official Observer status. The other two observers are: Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC).

Pillar
A Pillar in the APEC context usually refers to one of the three Pillars of APEC activity: trade and investment liberalization; business facilitation; and economic and technical cooperation. The three Pillars were adopted in 1995, as part of the Osaka Action Agenda.

SCCP Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures
The Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) is a sub-committee of the Committee of Trade and Investment. Originally, called the Customs Procedures Group of Customs Experts, SCCP was renamed in 1995. Its objective is to facilitate trade in the Asia-Pacific region by simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures.

SCSC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance
The Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCCP), established in 1994, is a sub-committee of the Committee on Trade and Investment. Its main aim is to achieve more harmonized standards and conformance which will improve the efficiency of production and facilitate the conduct of international trade.

SMEs Small and Medium Enterprises

SMEWG Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group
The Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group's (SMEWG) was first set up as an Ad Hoc Policy Level Group on SMEs (PLGSME) in February 1995. The main objective is to assist the Small and Medium Enterprises in the region to improve their competitiveness and to facilitate a more open trade and investment environment encourage the development of the Small and Medium Enterprises in the region. In 2000, this group was renamed the Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group.

SOM Senior Officials' Meeting
A Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) is held prior to every ministerial meeting. APEC senior officials make recommendations to the Ministers and carry out their decisions. They oversee and coordinate, with approval from Ministers, the budgets and work programs of the APEC Fora.

SPAN Integrated Plan of Action for SME Development
The 1998 Integrated Plan of Action for SME Development (SPAN) serves as a set of broad guidelines for SME development as well as a plan for future action at the individual economy level and collaborative efforts at the APEC level.

STAR Secure Trade in the APEC Region
The Secure Trade in the APEC Region (STAR) initiative aims to secure and enhance the flow of goods and people through measures to protect cargo, ships, international aviation and people in transit.

SSNCBN Social Safety Net Capacity Building Network
To promote effective capacity building within the APEC region in the area of social safety nets, the APEC Social Safety Net Capacity Building Network (APEC SSN CBN) was established. The SSN CBN addresses social safety net issues through information exchanges, collaborative research and development, and seminars for concerned institutions, government bodies, relevant international organizations and individuals. http://www.apecssn.org/

TEL Telecommunications and Information Working Group
The Telecommunications and Information Working Group (TEL) was formed in 1990. Under its first Chair, the United States, TEL was charged to address human resource development; technology transfer and regional cooperation; opportunities for on-site visits; observer ships and fellowships; and telecommunications standardization. The work of TEL is accomplished by four steering groups, which propose, implement and monitor projects and activities to advance the overall goals of APEC. Each steering group addresses a specific priority area: liberalization; business facilitation; development cooperation; and human resource development.

Theme
These are the six priority areas of economic and technical cooperation identified by APEC Leaders. The Themes are: Developing human capital; fostering safe and efficient capital markets; strengthening economic infrastructure; harnessing technologies of the future; promoting environmentally sustainable growth; and encouraging the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. Information in the Clearing House has been classified by theme.

TILF Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation
Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation (TILF) is one of the three pillars of APEC activity. The other two pillars are Business Facilitation and Economic and Technical Cooperation (ECOTECH).

TWG Tourism Working Group
The Tourism Working Group (TWG) was formed in 1991 based on the recognition that the tourism industry is of growing importance in promoting economic growth and social development in the Asia-Pacific region. The TWG brings together tourism administrators to share information, exchange views and develop areas of cooperation on trade and policies.

TPT-WG Transportation Working Group
The Transportation Working Group (TPT-WG) fosters economic development in the Asia-Pacific region through recommendations to increase the efficiency, sustainability and safety of the regional transportation system. The vast distances that characterize the Asia-Pacific region and the dynamic growth of its economies highlight the importance of an efficient transportation system to guarantee further development. The TPT-WG's areas of focus are: more competitive transportation industry (including infrastructure); safe and environment-friendly transportation systems (including new technologies); and human resources development.

WB World Bank

WCBG WTO Capacity Building Group
The WTO Capacity Building Group (WCBG) was first established as the Implementation of WTO (earlier UR) Obligations Group in May 1999. In 2001 after adoption of the APEC Strategic Plan on CapacityBuilding in implementing of WTO obligations (2000), this group was re-named the WTO Capacity Building Group.

WG Working Group
A Working Group (WG) is made up of participants from the 21 APEC Member Economies and focuses on particular areas or projects relating to economic cooperation. There are 11 Working Groups: Agricultural and Technical Cooperation; Energy; Fisheries; Human Resources; Industrial Science and Technology; Marine Resource Conservation; Small and Medium Enterprises; Telecommunications; Tourism; Trade Promotion and Transportation. A Working Group is one of a range of advisory and expert groups that make up a wider group referred to as APEC Fora.

WGTP Working Group on Trade Promotion
The Working Group on Trade Promotion (WGTP) first met in Seoul in 1990. Its objective is to contribute to sustained economic development and improved standard of living of the people of the Asia-Pacific region, by promoting the dynamism of intra-regional trade through a range of activities. The WGTP's work centers on trade promotion activities, trade financing, trade skills and training, trade information and networking business cooperation between the private sector and public agencies, including trade promotion organizations.

Source: This information has been taken the APEC Secretarial Website (www.apec.org)