Rappler's latest stories on #APEC2015
PH, Italy discuss trade boost via EU's zero-tariff scheme
The European Union scheme grants PH exporters zero tariff for at least 6 274 products
6.9% Philippine GDP growth in Q4 unlikely – economists
UPDATED Top economists give their take on the slower than expected Philippine economic growth
PH GDP grows 6% in Q3
2ND UPDATE The country’s GDP growth in the previous quarter was the third fastest in the region after China’s 6 9 and Vietnam’s 6 8

Key lessons from APEC 2015
It s learning about inclusive growth and ensuring it benefits the majority
APEC led to losses for hotels, airlines
Local airlines suffer millions of dollars in foregone revenues while some hotels went on lockdown during APEC
PH 'father of semiconductors' shows APEC what innovation can do
Dado Banatao grew up walking barefoot to school and ended up a Silicon Valley innovator At APEC 2015 he proves the innovation equation for inclusive growth

Woman behind Care.com shares roots of her online empire
Sheila Marcelo founder and CEO of Care com created waves when her company raised millions of dollars in a Wall Street IPO But to get there she needed to hurdle several roadblocks

IN PHOTOS: Behind the scenes of the APEC Summit
A glimpse of what happens behind the scenes when business and economic leaders meet

Josette Sheeran on the 'APEC divide' from both extremes
UPDATED The former head of the World Food Programme and vice chairman of the World Economic Forum provides an insight into the relevance of high level summits like APEC

#APEC2015: Most talked about stories
Here s what our followers shared read discussed and reacted to the most during APEC week

IN PHOTOS: APEC spouses in Intramuros
Even the annual APEC meet is more fun in the Philippines as leaders wives get a glimpse of Philippine heritage

IMF to APEC leaders: Trade growth a disappointment
The International Monetary Fund says the solution is to help small businesses enter global markets
APEC 2015: Services taking over trade in Asia
APEC leaders see the services sector as the future of Asia trade says Bollard
APEC leaders: Intensify efforts for MSMEs, embrace digital economy
APEC leaders reiterate actions laid out in the Boracay Action Agenda to globalize MSMEs and report progress by 2020

APEC 2015: Summit ends with looming trade deal competition
The leaders declaration reiterates the need for an APEC wide free trade agreement
How Filipina engineer shared spotlight with Obama, Jack Ma
Entrepreneur Aisa Mijeno shares how the White House managed to bring her to the APEC CEO Summit even if she wasn t qualified to attend it

Obama to TPP members: Ratify deal soon
UPDATED In Manila the US President asks leaders of TPP countries to ensure its quick enactment
Is Trans-Pacific Partnership friendly to small businesses?
New Zealand and Hong Kong s leaders also weigh in on a trade deal for the region while China pushes for the FTAAP

INFOGRAPHIC: A preview of the 21 APEC member economies
This year s APEC Economic Leaders Meeting also includes Colombia as an observer

Alibaba's Jack Ma: Set up world body for small businesses
Trade is a human right not to be used as a tool against an economy says Alibaba founder Jack Ma

Manila, Cebu behind APEC peers on liveability, doing business
We have 17 cities in Metro Manila One guy won’t move the needle It takes all 17 guys Guillermo Luz co chairman of the National Competitiveness Council says on the sidelines of APEC2015
APEC 2015: AirAsia banks on Philippines after first airliner disaster
We will keep discovering new places and new things It is a challenge here but there is big prize at the end of the day in the Philippines AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes says on the sidelines of APEC2015
![HIGHEST LOAD FACTOR. 'We are optimistic. [In terms] of passenger traffic, the Philippines is actually the best,' Tony Fernandes of AirAsia says. Photos by Rob Reyes/Rappler](https://static.rappler.com/plugins/system/lazyload/blank.png)
APEC SME Summit 2015: Lessons from Xurpas, Rappler
Even with limited resources online startups can be successful with the right people and a creative approach to solving problems

APEC 2015: Uber positions itself as solution to congested roads
In a country like the Philippines the debate is not on regulations It’s on helping your economy grow Uber Senior Advisor David Plouffe says on the sidelines of APEC2015

Mama Sita's president: We're strangers to the ASEAN market
Yet we have to do it we have to nurture ASEAN even if we re strangers to each other Clara Reyes Lapus says and shares how Mama Sita is trying to penetrate the foreign market

Why APEC trade repository will benefit small businesses
UPDATED The portal which is a work in progress is aimed to provide timely information for micro small and medium enterprises to navigate cross border trade
Indonesia VP Kalla to attend #APEC2015 instead of Jokowi
Vice President Jusuf Kalla explains why he is attending APEC and not President Joko Widodo what Indonesia s priorities are at APEC and what they plan to do with the Trans Pacific Partnership

APEC initiatives to kick in by 2016 – ABAC
APEC Business Advisory Council ABAC 2015 says the work for promoting inclusive growth in the region will begin after the summit closes next week

What do businessmen expect from APEC 2015?
Business leaders weigh in on what they expect from the APEC leaders summit in Manila next week
APEC 2015: How to make economic growth inclusive
Growing economies in a manner that is quick and equitable is this year s tall order the APEC Business Advisory Council 2015 says
Binay to welcome APEC leaders on state visits to PH
Opposition leader Vice President Binay says of APEC week: Let us set aside politics and do what needs to be done for the good of the country

APEC 2015: Where PH stands in the Trans-Pacific Partnership
UPDATED Interest in the TPP has surged on the eve of the APEC summit but it will take awhile to come into force say experts
APEC 2015: PH launches initiative to transform MSME financing
We are putting our money where our mouth is in putting more fuel to Asia Pacific s growth engine ’ says Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima
APEC 2015: A sense of déjà vu
The current and former NEDA chiefs compare the Philippine economy on the eve of the country s hosting of the APEC summit in 1996 and in 2015 Then and now the global community saw the country as poised to reach great economic heights

APEC 2015: Robust Internet needed to link MSMEs to global supply chain
The Philippines slow Internet bandwidth could be putting the brakes on its own attempts to push its micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs to the forefront of the Asia Pacific region

APEC 2015: 20,000 PH firms engaged in development work
Top government officials and business leaders come together to discuss inclusive business models to kick off APEC 2015’s crowning week

Philippines as APEC host: Bending over backwards for VIPs
From security personnel diplomatic protocol the seat plan and special food requests the Philippines is preparing to be the perfect host to 20 world leaders for the APEC summit

What will the Philippines gain from hosting APEC 2015?
The APEC Business Advisory Council says larger economies are curious about the country s growth story
Making region MSME-friendly could be APEC 2015's success
Before pushing for a MSME friendly region some economists say the Philippines should first resolve its own policy gaps and conflicts that disempower microentrepreneurs

Women are prime movers of inclusive growth – APEC leaders
They also push for addressing gender disparities in women s labor force participation and strengthening their role in growing MSMEs

Tech disruptions provide opportunities for women
Technology has facilitated policies designed to level the playing field and provide a better work life balance and new platforms for women APEC business leaders point out

DTI chief makes final push for MSMEs initiatives
Gregory Domingo also confirms he will stay as DTI chief at least until after the country s hosting of the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November

Aquino: Women are better partners for inclusive growth
Harnessing the talents and potential of all women can bring about inclusive progress sooner rather than later the President says

Public-private partnerships save gov't P300B – DPWH
The Department of Public Works and Highways also earmarks P21 13B for right of way delivery for all PPP projects

Economic role of women boosted by APEC health toolkit launch
The APEC Healthy Women Healthy Economy Policy Toolkit will be pilot tested in the Philippines for 6 months

Aquino wants DTI's Domingo to stay until APEC summit
Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo says his resignation date can be adjusted as the President told him some Cabinet members think he should stay until the country concludes its Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings hosting
Trade Secretary Domingo resigns – Palace
3RD UPDATE Domingo s resignation is still under consideration says Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr

Asia-Pacific finance ministers vow to shun competitive devaluation
We will refrain from competitive devaluation and resist all forms of protectionism say APEC finance ministers in a statement

Cebu Action Plan launched
The plan which has 4 pillars from financial integration to infrastructure development and financing is eyed as the lasting legacy of the Philippines’ APEC hosting
6 APEC economies sign up for Asia Regional Funds Passport
The Asia Regional Funds Passport is seen to generate savings of 20 billion annually in fund management costs and create 170 000 jobs in APEC economies within 5 years