DUSHANBE, November 3, 2014, Asia-Plus — Tajik President Emomali Rahmon will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit that will take place in Beijing, China from November 8-10, an official source in the Tajik Government told Asia-Plus Monday morning.
While in Beijing, Emomali Rahmon will also hold a number of bilateral meeting with high-ranking state officials from a number of countries, the source said.
“Tajikistan is not member nation of APEC and Emomali Rahmon will attend the APEC CEO Summit for the first time,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Chinese media sources report that the APEC CEO Summit 2014 will gather 1500 APEC Economic Leaders, CEOs and leading thinkers in Beijing to deliberate the key issues facing the development of the Asia-Pacific economic by sharing views on “Advancing Regional Economic Integration,” “Promoting Innovative development, Economic Reform and Growth” and “Strengthening Comprehensive Connectivity and Infrastructure Development.”
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world; to fears that highly industrialized Japan (a member of G8) would come to dominate economic activity in the Asia-Pacific region; and to establish new markets for agricultural products and raw materials beyond Europe (where demand had been declining). APEC works to raise living standards and education levels through sustainable economic growth and to foster a sense of community and an appreciation of shared interests among Asia-Pacific countries. APEC includes newly industrialized economies, although the agenda of free trade was a sensitive issue for the developing NIEs at the time APEC founded, and aims to enable ASEAN economies to explore new export market opportunities for natural resources such as natural gas, as well as to seek regional economic integration (industrial integration) by means of foreign direct investment. Members account for approximately 40% of the world”s population, approximately 54% of the world”s gross domestic product and about 44% of world trade.
