International Business Leaders Gather in Honolulu During APEC Week for Symposium on Asia-Pacific Business Issues

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Members of the international business community will have an opportunity to learn about current Asia-Pacific business issues at the Asia-Pacific Business Symposium that will be held during APEC Leaders' Week in Hawai‘i in November. The Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC) and East-West Center (EWC) Conference, on Nov. 9-10 at Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, will feature international business experts and top executives who will be in Honolulu for the APEC CEO Summit and other Leaders' Week events.

“With APEC Leaders' Week quickly approaching, we are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity for business executives to become involved in this prestigious meeting,” said Peter Ho, chair of the APEC 2011 Hawai‘i Host Committee. “The Symposium offers the rare opportunity for participants to engage in discussions with business leaders and experts from around the Asia-Pacific Region on topics such as trade, regional sustainability, public-private partnerships and the role of small and medium enterprises, or SMEs.”

The conference, sponsored by PBEC and EWC, is supported by the APEC 2011 Hawai'i Host Committee. Sessions will focus on:

• Current trends impacting economies across the Asia-Pacific region;
• Regional energy challenges;
• Investment interests of the People's Republic of China and other APEC economies;
• Innovations in sustainable construction and tourism;
• Sustainable business practices; and
• Food security and safety.

Featured speakers include:

• Mark Spiegel, Vice President of International Research and Director of the Center for Pacific Basin Studies at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco;
• Yu Ping, Vice Chairman, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade;
• Keith Williams, President and CEO, Underwriters Laboratories; and
• Dr. Cathie Woteki, Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Concurrently on Nov. 10 at the Halekulani Hotel, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will be holding its SME (small-to-medium enterprise) Symposium, a half-day seminar that will explore how innovative technologies and services are creating opportunities for SMEs to go global.

For more information, visit www.apec2011hawaii.com. Registration for the Asia-Pacific Business Symposium is $750 per person for the PBEC/EWC Conference and includes lunches and an evening cocktail reception, or $150 for the half-day ABAC SME Symposium.