President Tran Dai Quang photographed with delegates attending the conference

Opening up great opportunities for cooperation and development

Speaking at the meeting, President Tran Dai Quang welcomed the delegations of the economies to the CEO Summit 2017 in Da Nang. The CEO Summit is a large-scale event with the attendance of many international leaders, international organizations and 2,000 businesses.

The CEO Summit 2017 will open up great opportunities for cooperation and development. The president stressed that thanks to the contribution of enterprises from the world's leading to the micro, small and medium enterprises, women-owned enterprises, Asia-Pacific has become a dynamic economic leader, contributing nearly 50% of total trade, and about 60% of global GDP.

According to the President, after nearly 30 years of development, APEC has not only witnessed the landmark changes of the world but also become part of these changes. APEC has made important achievements, bringing hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. Today, APEC is an effective mechanism to promote the role of enterprises, making Asia-Pacific a dynamic global development area, becoming a nursery for the future.

Solving three urgent issues

In order for APEC to continue to be the leading forum for regional economic integration, we wish the Asia Pacific business community to continue to play an important role in working with governments to address the following urgent issues:

First, the current top priority is to maintain the connection and global economic recovery, promote pioneering role in trade and investment liberalization, and achieve the Bogor Goals by 2020. It is also necessary to strengthen public-private partnerships in enhancing comprehensive and inclusive connectivity; developing quality infrastructure; and improving supply chain connectivity, and trade and investment issues in the next generation.

Secondly, APEC should step up its efforts to ensure the inclusive growth. We need to turn the "economic miracles" into "inclusive development miracles" in the region, leading to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The business community should promote social responsibility; actively contribute to the building of self-reliant and inclusive communities; contribute to ensuring food security - water – energy; promote entrepreneurship and startup; enhance women’s economic empowerment; and support micro, small and medium enterprises to participate more deeply in the global market.

Thirdly, to look forward to a better future, delegates as well as millions of other businesses in the region need to actively contribute to the process of building and realizing the APEC vision after 2020 on constructing a peaceful, stable, dynamic, interconnected and prosperous  Asia-Pacific community. With contributions and practical experience of businesses, we can build a comprehensive and inclusive vision that ensures the benefits of the people and businesses. This is the premise for the sustainable development of economies and the APEC business community in the future.

With the theme of "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future'', the conference will focus on discussing new trends of globalization, technological revolution, business linkage, promote the innovation and creativity of business community, exploit new opportunities in the region, promote economic cooperation and realize the potential in trade and investment offered by APEC.

At the end of the speech, President Tran Dai Quang wished the 2017 Summit leaders good health, happiness and success. "I hope you take some to visit Da Nang city and the world cultural heritage sites of Vietnam such as Cham Tower in the My Son Sanctuary, the Complex of Hue Monuments, and particularly Hoi An Ancient Town, which has made its name on the world’s nautical chart since the 17th century as one of the most bustling trading ports of the region."

The largest historic business summit

Earlier, addressing the opening session, Vu Tien Loc, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), President of APEC CEO Summit confirmed that this is the largest business Summit in the history of APEC, which took place at a critical juncture of the region, "when we need to jointly create new dynamism for the future, the time when globalization and regional integration need to be reshaped to meet the requirements of the new era."

The CEO Summit runs until November 10th and is expected to have 15 meetings with the participation of leaders of APEC economies, organizations and renowned businesses in the world.

Story and photos: Phong Binh – Hue Thao