Backgrounder - Canada and APEC

Backgrounder

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was established in 1989 and has become the pre-eminent economic forum in the Asia-Pacific region. Canada was a founding member of APEC and has been active in helping it achieve its current status. APEC’s primary purpose is to facilitate economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. APEC members include economies critical to Canada's future economic prosperity and security interests.

APEC Business Advisory Council

Private-sector engagement is central to APEC’s success. The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), established in 1995, provides a forum for business and political leaders in the Asia-Pacific region to meet and discuss issues related to trade and economic cooperation. ABAC comprises as many as three individuals from each of the 21 APEC members, with business representatives appointed by APEC leaders. Canada’s representatives on ABAC help advance Canadian business interests in the Asia-Pacific region. The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada acts as ABAC’s secretariat in Canada.

Canada-Peru Joint Commission

The Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement provides for the creation of a Joint Commission, which serves to review the general functioning of the free trade agreement and considers ways to further enhance trade relations.

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