Bangkok--18 Oct--ESCAP-SCAS
Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Week will be convened by ESCAP in Bangkok from 30 October to 3 November, bringing together ministers, senior government officials and key stakeholders to discuss critical issues around trade and investment policy making in the region.
Trade and investment have been powerful engines of growth, especially in Asia and the Pacific. However, not all individuals and communities have been able to benefit from the growth that comes from engagement in international markets, and too many barriers to inclusion remain. An integrated and comprehensive approach to trade and investment policies is essential to ensure their contribution towards the economic, social and environmental targets outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Against this backdrop, Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Week aims to promote better understanding, and policy options to support trade and investment, along with technology and innovation for inclusive and sustainable development. The week will feature expert meetings and events focusing on policy making, covering areas such as trade facilitation, trade and investment agreements, science, technology and innovation policies and responsible business practices.
The Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report 2017: Channeling Trade and Investment into Sustainable Development will be launched by United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on 30 October. The report assesses trends and developments in regional trade and investment flows and policies and provides in-depth analysis of the how trade and investment can help countries meet the SDGs.