Trade minister highlights three issues at APEC MRT

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Budi Santoso discussed three main issues during the opening session of the 2025 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (APEC MRT) meeting in Jeju, South Korea.

The three issues are trade innovation through artificial intelligence, multilateral trading systems, and sustainable trade.

"We hope the 2025 APEC MRT will run constructively and generate various solutions and ideas in facing current trade challenges," Santoso noted in a statement on Friday.

During the session, the minister stated that advancing artificial intelligence and digital technology requires APEC to help bridge the development gap among its Economies. This aims to ensure equal distribution of digital trade to all APEC Economies.

"We can ensure that the benefits of digital trade can be accessed equally by all levels of society in the region. This effort is realized through innovation, collaboration, and principled policies," he remarked.

He noted that addressing the development gap can be accomplished through sustainable investment in digital infrastructure, sharing of best practices, implementing targeted capacity-building programs, and developing digital skills for the workforce across the region.

Santoso added that APEC is also expected to take the lead in creating a fair, adaptive, and forward-looking regulatory framework; maintaining a healthy climate for business competition; and encouraging the simplification of trade facilitation procedures to support inclusive and sustainable growth.

He then highlighted the potential benefits of artificial intelligence and digital technology for innovation. These innovations play an important role in simplifying trade procedures; strengthening supply chain resilience; empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through digital platforms; and revolutionizing facilities for cross-border trade.

In addition, Santoso addressed the significant challenges accompanying the transformational opportunities of artificial intelligence and digital technology, such as the widening digital divide, unequal access to technology, potential disruptions to the labor market, data governance, digital infrastructure, and the risk of technology misuse to exploit consumer behavior.

He encouraged APEC to build an inclusive digital ecosystem to address these challenges. Such inclusivity will also support APEC Economies to achieve the Putrajaya Vision 2040 for the welfare of all APEC communities.

"APEC has a strategic role to form a regional digital ecosystem that is inclusive, open, and interconnected. Therefore, strengthened regional cooperation, increased interoperability, and a commitment to not leaving anyone behind are necessary," Santoso emphasized.