Asian and European business leaders discuss trade and economic co-operation

First Announcement of the tenth Asia-Europe Business Forum, 10-11 September 2006 in Helsinki

Confederation of Finnish Industries EK will host the tenth Asia-Europe Business Forum (AEBF). The Forum will take place on 10-11 September 2006 in Helsinki, Finland.

AEBF provides the leading platform for discussion and networking of business leaders from thirty eight EU and Asian countries participating in the intergovernmental ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) co-operation. Speakers at the Forum will address the economic progress in these two regions, as well as the potential and challenges for intensified economic co-operation and interaction between them.
 
Economic relations between Asia and Europe are growing fast

The pattern of Asia-Europe trade has changed dramatically over the last decade. The enlarged EU is Asia’s second largest trading partner and third largest export market, absorbing 15% of Asian trade. Since 1990 EU imports from the Asian countries have increased by 10% per year. Today, China, South Korea and Japan belong to the ten top trading partners of the EU. 

Trade between EU and Asia represents a new source of economic growth, dynamism and stimulus to innovation for both regions.

AEBF has a consultative role in interregional co-operation

AEBF will take place during the Finnish Presidency of the European Union and it will be organised back-to-back with the Sixth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM6) in Helsinki. The ASEM dialogue addresses political, economic and cultural issues, with the objective of strengthening the relationship between the two continents, in the spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership.

AEBF is part of the official ASEM cooperation. It aims at formulating business’ recommendations to the political arena on how to strengthen economic ties between Asia and Europe. The Forum involves government officials and business representatives in a direct dialogue – chambers of commerce, business organizations, multinationals and SMEs from 38 ASEM countries, as well as the European Commission.

The forthcoming AEBF meeting marks the tenth anniversary of the meetings of business representatives from Asia and Europe. The first Forum took place in Paris in 1996, after which it was held annually, alternating between the two continents. The previous Forum was organised in October 2004 in Hanoi, Vietnam, where it was decided that it will convene every second year in parallel with the ASEM Summit.

Themes at AEBF will address core topics of mutual interest

The themes for AEBF10 have been selected to address the core economic challenges shared by both Asian and European business communities and to support the issues which are on the agenda of the ASEM6 Summit. The main themes are Globalisation, Competitiveness and Energy. They will be discussed in the AEBF10 plenary sessions as well as in the individual working groups.

An important part of the AEBF10 meeting will be devoted to working groups, which will be chaired by high-profile business leaders from Asia and Europe. The working groups in the previous Fora have covered a wide range of issues including trade, investment, financial services, ICT and infrastructure. The recommendations of each working group will be compiled and submitted to the Heads of State and/or Government in the ASEM countries.

Business leaders from both continents participate in the Forum

The delegates in AEBF represent a wide range of industrial sectors in the Asian and European countries, both global companies with major interests in the two regions and small and medium enterprises seeking to establish themselves in the market. The previous Fora have attracted an average of 300-400 participants.

Organiser, information and contacts

Confederation of Finnish Industries EK, which is the voice of Finnish business (www.ek.fi), is organising AEBF10 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Christoffer Taxell, President of EK.

Registration for AEBF10 will be conducted on-line via the AEBF official website, www.aebf10.org, which will be opened in January 2006. The official invitation and full programme will be sent in spring 2006. Ms Leena Sandström provides details on request: aebf10@ek.fi

You are kindly requested to forward this AEBF10 Newsletter to your business community and encourage representatives to participate in the event.

Yours sincerely,

Päivi Luostarinen

Chief Policy Adviser, EK
Head of the AEBF10 Team
Steering Committee Member