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2015/SOM2/027anx6
Agenda Item: 5.1.1
Annex 6 - Strategic Framework of Asia-Pacific Model
E-port Network (APMEN)
Purpose: Consideration
Submitted by: CTI Chair
Forum Doc. No.: 2015/SOM2/CTI/021
Second Senior Officials’ Meeting
Boracay, Philippines
20-21 May 2015
Strategic Framework of APMEN
Background
APEC has long recognized the key importance of trade facilitation and supply chain connectivity in
achieving free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific. In 2010, APEC leaders committed to
“address impediments to moving goods and services through Asia-Pacific supply-chains…with a view
to achieving an APEC-wide target of a ten percent improvement in supply-chain performance by 2015”.
In 2013, our leaders acknowledged “the importance of addressing unnecessary barriers to trade by
advancing regulatory convergence and coherence to achieving our shared objectives of strengthening
regional economic integration and ensuring product safety, supply chain integrity”. In 2014, on the 25th
anniversary of APEC, our leaders have launched a series of initiatives in the Beijing Agenda targeting
at shaping “an integrated, innovative and interconnected Asia-Pacific”, by reaffirming “the role of APEC
in addressing next generation of trade and investment issues and sectorial initiatives, and agree to
accelerate “at the border” trade liberalization and facilitation efforts, improve business environment
“behind the border”, and enhance regional connectivity ‘across the border’ based on global value chain
to accumulate more building blocks for the realization of the FTAAP”, including specific instructions for
trade facilitation, regional economic integration and supply chain connectivity. Therefore, APMEN may
contribute to the realization of all related APEC blueprints and implementation of WTO’s Trade
Facilitation Agreement (TFA), as well as the implementation of other related APEC initiatives on supply
chain connectivity.
Objectives
With adherence to the APEC spirit of unity, mutual respect and trust, mutual assistance and win-win
cooperation, and on an open and voluntary basis, objectives of APMEN by 2018 are prescribed in the
TOR. The following points are complementary to the TOR:
1.
Summarize and share the experience of APEC model E-Ports, advance the improvement of
Information & Communication Technology (ICT) capability with an aim to promote trade
facilitation and supply chain optimization in APEC region.
2.
Understand how to advance and extend the practices of model E-ports as well as other similar
practices and associated challenges.
3.
Identify solutions and enabling environment to enhance transparency of logistics and
regulatory issues through data interconnectivity and interoperability, to improve logistics
sub-providers capacity, land/air/sea and multi-modes transport efficiency and capabilities in
Asia-Pacific region.
4.
Compile knowledge on how to enhance coordination among border agencies through
public-private partnership (PPP), to simplify customs documentation and other procedures; by
1 more efficient clearance of goods at customs with ICT support, to improve performance of
regional cross-border customs-transit arrangements.
Actions
1. Realize information sharing on model E-Ports. Hold seminars to raise understanding of
E-ports as exploratory solutions to realize goals and targets of Asia-Pacific regional supply
chain connectivity, share information, experience in developing, operating and promoting
E-Ports.
2. Perform a review of existing literature and work on E-Ports to improve economies’
understanding.
3. Carry out case studies on how economies are using ICT infrastructure in their different types’
cargo hubs for trade facilitation and supply chain performance improvement, including
‘Single Window System’ and ‘One-Stop-Shop Services’ with an aim to help economies
understand how their current programs would interface with the E-Port concept
4. Carry out research of solutions to end-to-end supply chain data interconnectivity and
interoperability as well as challenges, including: 1) Cross-border public private partnership
among all stakeholders across supply chain; 2) End-to-end supply chain data standards,
data privacy and security; 3) Lifecycle supply chain data visibility to enable improvement of
supply chain performances; 4) End-to-end supply chain regulatory mutual recognition; 5)
Third party ICT infrastructural platform for end-to-end supply chain data; 6) Integration with
existing E-Ports, ‘Single Window System’ and ‘One-Stop-Shop Services’, with an aim to help
members explore how explore application and extension based on the researches.
5. Conduct targeted capacity building activities. In order to help all economies to participate and
benefit, targeted and longer term sustainable capacity building projects will be developed
and conducted. Private sectors, relevant international institutions and other interested
stakeholders will be encouraged to contribute to this process.
6. Explore pilot projects in specific areas of model E-Ports. The optional areas include: 1)
production end to consumption end traceability of products; 2) paperless trade; and 3) green
freight, logistics and supply chain, etc.
7. Collaborate with other APEC organizations as well as other regional or global organizations.
Anticipated Timeline
1.
By AELM 2015. 1) Endorse the Strategic Framework, the Work Plan and the
Working Mechanism of APMEN; 2) Establish and operate APMEN Joint Operational Group
2 (AJOG), APMEN Operational Center (AOC) and APMEN Experts Pool (AEP); 3) Hold a Public
Private Dialogue to enhance the information sharing on model E-Ports among APMEN
members; 4) Conduct case studies of existing literature and work and carry out case studies
of E-Ports on how economies are using ICT infrastructure in their ports and Single Window
programs; 5) Prepare scheme for the first capacity building activity program; 6) Conduct
researches on solution to end-to-end supply chain data connectivity and interoperability; 7)
Prepare agenda for first batch of pilot projects among model E-Ports; 8) Form collaboration
mechanism with other APEC institutions and other regional or global organizations; 9) Submit
the report of the second AJOG on APMEN TO CTI3 as well as to report APMEN’s progress in
2015 to Ministers and Leaders.
2.
By AELM 2016. 1) Carry out first capacity building activity; 2) Complete review
of existing literature and work and complete the case studies of E-Ports; 3) Perform evaluation
and start application of the solution to end-to-end supply chain data interconnectivity and
interoperability in pilot projects design; 4) Perform mid-term evaluation of first batch of pilot
projects of model E-Ports, carry out second batch of pilot projects; 5) Submit a detailed
progress report and recommendations to CTI3; 6) Submit a report of the combined case
studies to AMM and AELM.
3.
By AELM 2017. 1) Carry out second capacity building activity; 2) Perform
evaluation of the application of the solution to end-to-end supply chain data interconnectivity
and interoperability in the pilot projects and start to extend; 3) Perform final evaluation of first
batch of pilot projects of model E-Ports and mid-term evaluation of second batch of pilot
projects; 4) Submit a detailed progress report and recommendations to CTI3.
4.
By AELM 2018. 1) Perform evaluation on extending application of solution to
end-to-end supply chain data interconnectivity and interoperability in the pilot projects; 2)
Perform final review of second batch of pilot projects; 3) Review the operations of the APMEN
by CTI, determine whether to continue the APMEN, and make any necessary adjustments to
its terms of reference and operations.
3