In Singapore on Thursday, trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum member economies took steps to make it easier to trade across the region - which can help to increase U.S. exports to the Asia-Pacific and create well-paid jobs at home. In a closing plenary session, Ambassador Kirk and other trade ministers endorsed principles to govern the trade of cross-border services, and agreed to simplify the documentation for certifying the origin of goods under trade agreements.
At the close of the Singapore gathering, ministers also welcomed a statement by Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama welcoming the delegates to Japan when that country hosts APEC in 2010. The United States will host APEC in 2011.
Ambassador Kirk met on Thursday with Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Tex.), Ranking Member on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, who traveled to Singapore for the APEC gathering. Assistant United States Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs Luis Jimenez has accompanied Ambassador Kirk on this week's APEC visit.
Ambassador Kirk also on Thursday briefed members of the U.S. business community who are in Singapore for the APEC CEO Summit. Ambassador Kirk will formally address the CEO Summit on behalf of President Obama this weekend.
This week's APEC action will also feature the launch of the Environmental Goods and Services Information Exchange (EGSIE), an innovative new website that will promote information-sharing and collaboration related to cutting edge environmental technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. It will also promote the dissemination of such technologies globally and is a practical step towards addressing climate change and other environmental concerns. Keep watching ustr.gov for an alert when the site goes live.
