Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) An Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) project which includes a virtual exposition and an international forum kicked off Monday, with the aim of promoting and creating small- and medium-size business opportunities in local cultural industries for its members.
The APEC Local Cultural Industry Virtual Exposition (ALCIVE) , a one-year online exhibition of cultural craft items from APEC's 14 members and one observer, will be displayed on the Internet until July 2007. The APEC Local Cultural Industry Market Development Forum is taking place in Taipei from Aug. 29-30.
The project was initiated by Taiwan in APEC's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) working group last year, receiving endorsement of the other member countries.
The initiative looks to enhance the capacity of SMEs and micro-enterprises in the local cultural industries, build a platform for local cultural industries in demonstration of their products to all APEC economies, and strengthen cross-border cooperation in the APEC region in promotion of the development of overseas markets for local cultural industries, Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Ruey-long said in the opening ceremony.
Moreover, the project helps retain cultural heritage and create more employment in remote areas for every country, Chen said.
During the two-day forum, more than a dozen speakers from Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, the United States, Peru, Chile and Mexico will deliver topical speeches in five sessions of wide-ranging discussions. The topics include economic implication, policy environment, marketing strategy, market access and case study of market development of local cultural industries.
The ALCIVE Web site, at www.alcive.tw, simulates the layout of the 2005 Aichi Expo, with each APEC member country displaying its products in a virtual pavilion.