Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Closer collaboration between the ASEAN Secretariat and the APEC Secretariat would benefit the members of both regional organizations, according to the two bodies` chiefs.

The desire for closer engagement was expressed by the heads of both secretariats when a delegation of the Singapore-based Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) secretariat visited the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat on Thursday.

"We agreed that synergy between ASEAN and APEC will open a lot of opportunities for collaboration and cooperation. Clearly, there is scope for closer and meaningful engagement," said ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan as quoted on the ASEAN Secretariat`s official website.

The delegation from the APEC Secretariat was led by its executive director, Ambassador Michael Tay.

The ASEAN Secretariat, said Pitsuwan, welcomed the initiative for of closer cooperation between the two secretariats and looking forward to expanding the areas and methods for cooperation in a manner that was mutually beneficial to the interests of ASEAN member states and APEC economies.

For a start, both sides had identified small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) development, disaster management, standards and conformance, trade facilitation, supply chain connectivity, health and project management as possible areas for collaboration. They also exchanged information and best practices particularly in the areas of private sector engagement, project management and implementation, and disaster management and emergency preparedness.

Pitsuwan also took the opportunity to inform the APEC Secretariat delegation of the steps undertaken by ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners to respond to the current global financial crisis.

Ambassador Tay, on other hand, briefed the ASEAN Secretariat on the preparations being made for the APEC Leaders` Week in November 2009. (*)

Editor: Bambang

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