Brian Lynch
Chairman AFFCO

• Senior advisor and Alternate ABAC Member for New Zealand
• Former executive director – New Zealand Meat Industry Association

Summary of Brian’s 2006 speech

On ABAC
ABAC (Asia Pacific Business Advisory Council) was set up by APEC in 1995. It comprises of three business representatives (appointed by governments) from each of the 21 APEC economies. The main job of ABAC is to submit a report each year to the APEC leaders which contains recommendations on issues that regional business thinks are of critical importance. This report usually contains around 60 recommendations however Brian commented that ABAC members had to agree on four or five main issues to try and influence the political leaders.

His current involvement with ABAC
Brian is an alternate member for ABAC New Zealand. One of his most recent tasks has been to assist ABAC New Zealand in Chairing the ABAC Technology Workgroup.

On New Zealand Businesses
Brian commented that New Zealand only makes up 0.24% of the global population and accounts for only 0.27% of world trade. This means to everyone else we are potentially very insignificant. New Zealand businesses need to utilise all of their knowledge, experience and savvy in order to succeed in the global market.

Student thoughts
From Brian’s speech you could tell he was very knowledgeable with regard to ABAC and all of the issues surrounding it. Brian’s approach of showing genuine humility, generosity and absolute determination when dealing in business was a real winner with the students.

Quotes
“APEC does not act on as many ABAC recommendations as the should”
“To everyone else we are not all that significant”
“ABAC gives me the luxury of being blunt”

Compiled by Blair Paterson