51.   Russian and Polish business leaders did sign an agreement to create a joint business council which is hoped will keep pressure on their governments to make needed changes.

52.   Talks concentrated on the formation of a regional business council, first proposed at a regional economic development conference held in Casablanca in October.

53.   The agreement between the chambers envisages the formation of a Pakistan-Nepal business council to function as a catalyst for development of economic and trade cooperation.

54.   The business advisory council is led by Roberto Romulo, chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

55.   The APEC advisory business council has urged APEC economies to convene infrastructure roundtables to promote stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors in the region.

56.   The conference ended with a plan to create a private EAGA business council, which would work towards regional tie-ups in such areas as tourism, fisheries and forestry.

57.   The creation of a regional business council is expected to be announced at the summit.

58.   The final declaration also includes plans for a private business council and ways of creating an economic community along the lines of the European Unity.