Ensuring the security of trade flows is an important part of the larger efforts in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to facilitate trade along all dimensions, participants at a regional trade security meeting said.

The seventh Secure Trade in the APEC Region Conference kicked off here on Thursday. Themed "Enhancing Trade Security and Economic Resilience," the two-day meeting focuses on the need for businesses and industries to develop a security culture within their business model. Businesses are encouraged to not only look upon security as an important business process but also see security as a competitive advantage.

At the meeting, both the public and private sectors, especially those from the logistics and supply chain industries, will discuss ways to enhance and tighten security processes and to strengthen the supply chain system against the threat of terrorism.

Participants will exchange views on how stakeholders in the international supply chain can cooperate to minimize the possibility of terrorist attacks on the supply chain and to secure that international trade flows recover quickly should such an attack occur.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education S Iswaran said, "The threat of international terrorism is real. It is a clear and present danger, as recent events in Jakarta vividly demonstrate."

"It is essential that you make security a core part of your business process. Through strong public-private sector partnership, we can build and strengthen the resolve and commitment of the international trading community to keep terrorism at bay and secure international trade flows," he added.

More than 20 speakers from international organizations such as the World Customs Organization, academia, government agencies and the private sector have been invited to speak at the conference. The event is expected to draw more than 250 private sector representatives and government officials.

Source: Xinhua