Singapore to lead Asia-Pacific business taskforce on border reopening

The taskforce will develop recommendations on the standardisation of safety protocols.

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) has appointed Singapore Business Federation (SBF) Chief Executive Officer Lam Yi Young as the convenor of the taskforce for safe reopening of borders during ABAC’s first meeting held virtually.

Singapore business leaders, including Lam, joined fellow Asia-Pacific business leaders to discuss how to work together in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuilding the region’s economies.

As the convenor, Lam will lead the taskforce in developing recommendations to APEC leaders on the standardisation of safety protocols to facilitate the safe reopening of borders and resumption of travels.

“The reopening of borders for safe and seamless travel is essential for the recovery of the global, regional and national economies. To facilitate this, we need consistent, practical and agreed rules across countries on issues like quarantine and testing regimes, and mutual recognition of vaccination and test results,” he said.

Business leaders at the meeting also recognised the role of the digital economy in driving transformation and global economic recovery.