BANGKOK, THAILAND - (March 12, 2003) New policies and tools to promote secure trade and transportation among Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum member economies was the focus of a conference cosponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) February 23-25, 2003, in Bangkok, Thailand. Public and private sector leaders from throughout the region met and discussed ways to improve security and efficiency at ports, airports and other access points.

USTDA cosponsored the conference with the U.S. Department of State. More than 325 participants from 21 APEC member economies attended the event, as well as senior representatives from major private sector corporations and international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization, the World Customs Organization, and the World Bank.

Geoffrey Jackson, USTDA Assistant Director for Policy Planning and Regional Director for Asia, represented the agency at the conference and moderated the opening plenary session. "The conference provided an ideal opportunity for representatives from all 21 APEC economies to meet and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with secure trade," he said. "The large number of attendees underscores the importance of this topic for the region and for those doing business in the area."

The Conference on Secure Trade in the APEC Region focused on concrete actions to achieve goals identified by APEC leaders at their October 2002 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico. The goals include accelerating efforts to screen people and cargo for security before transit; increasing security on ships and airplanes while en route; securing private company supply chains; and enhancing security in airports and seaports. Twenty-one of the world's top seaports and 23 of its busiest airports are located in APEC member economies.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, project definitional missions, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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