Tkatchenko promises functional Apec Summit

Papua New Guinea will deliver a functional Apec come next year – and deliver outcomes that will advance the collective interests of all economies – according to Minister for Apec Justin Tkatchenko.
Speaking at the opening of the Apec ISOM symposium in Port Moresby yesterday, Tkatchenko said:
“For Papua New Guinea, our membership of Apec is taken very seriously.
“We are a developing economy and there is a lot to gain from being a part if this group, and, as a developing economy, there is also so much that we can contribute.
“The global economy has changed so much since Apec first met in 1989.
“In 2018 and beyond, we have to work to ensure that no-one is left behind in the modern economy.
“This is no easy task – particularly in economies like Papua New Guinea, where we have so many rural and remote communities.
“We have a great challenge before us to ensure that our micro and small and medium enterprises can compete in the digital age.
“In this symposium today, ahead of ISOM, you will be discussing many of these challenges.
“I am particularly interested in looking at how our economies can move to a cashless society using modern technologies.
“I am confident that this symposium, with its impressive line-up of subject matter experts, will set the foundations on which we can advance Apec’s ongoing agenda.
“Our preparations for 2018 are in their final stages.”