(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-09-02 17:02

SYDNEY -- Since its inception in 1989, the gross domestic product and trade of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have grown substantially. The following are key facts and figures in the regard:

-- As a group, APEC's GDP in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms has increased three-fold from 11.8 trillion U.S. dollars in 1989 to 37.3 trillion dollars in 2006.

-- In 2006, APEC accounted for 56 percent of the world's GDP in PPP terms compared with 51 percent in 1989.

-- APEC'S GDP has grown at an average 6.6 percent per annum since 1989 in PPP terms--faster than the world's average growth (6. 0 percent) over the same period.

-- APEC's per capita GDP has risen from 5,205 U.S. dollars in 1989 to 13,994 dollars in 2006 in PPP terms -- higher than the world's average per capita income of 10,305 dollars in 2006.

-- Since 1989, APEC's trade with the world has grown at an average of eight percent per annum, rising from 3.0 trillion U.S. dollars in 1989 to 13.2 trillion dollars in 2006. APEC accounted for 44 percent of world exports and 45 percent of world imports.

-- Goods and services exported by APEC members have increased from 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars in 1989 to 6.5 trillion dollars in 2006, while goods and services imported by APEC members have risen from 1.6 trillion dollars and 6.7 trillion dollars.

-- Merchandise trade amongst APEC economies has been robust, growing at an average eight percent per annum since 1989. Merchandise exports within the region rose from 842 billion U.S. dollars in 1989 to 3.7 trillion dollars in 2006.

-- In 2006, merchandise trade within the region accounted for 69 percent of APEC's total merchandise trade.