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by Xiong Weisheng

BEIJING, Jun 22 (China Economic Net) – China's digital supply chains could give small businesses in Pacific island nations better access to regional trade, an adviser to the APEC Business Advisory Council said on Sunday, on the sidelines of the APEC CEO China Forum in Beijing.

Brett O'Riley, New Zealand's representative on the council, known as ABAC, said one challenge for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum was widening access to major supply chains for groups currently underrepresented in regional trade, including women entrepreneurs, part-time business owners and small firms in smaller economies.

ABAC advises APEC leaders on trade and investment policy on behalf of the region's business community.

O'Riley cited Tonga, the Cook Islands and Samoa as examples of Pacific economies that need improved supply chain access, saying New Zealand had a particular responsibility toward the region. He said the issue for such economies extends beyond procurement to market access for their own exports.

"Sometimes they are only selling very small quantities of their products," O'Riley said. "The ability to plug into digital supply chains like we see in China can make a huge difference for those small economies and a huge difference for those small businesses."

His comments came as business leaders and officials met in Beijing this week for the APEC CEO China Forum, with supply chains and digital trade among the main topics on the agenda.

O'Riley said wider access to digital trade platforms could also draw more young entrepreneurs into business across the region.

China holds the rotating APEC chair this year, an arrangement the host government has used to promote a broader agenda of openness and connectivity.