A recently survey showed that some 93 percent of Australian exporters are expected to do business in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) markets in the next five years, according to an official press release issued yesterday.

The release from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) said that the survey, jointly conducted by Austrade and the transport group DHL Worldwide Express, highlights an increased interest in long-term trade with APEC member economies.

APEC economies boast more attractive trading partners in the longer term, as they offer more than tariff gains to Australian exporters, Austrade's chief economist Tim Harcourt said.

"APEC's design as a consensus-based forum will help trade facilitation throughout the region," Harcourt was quoted by the release as saying.

APEC accounts for nearly 70 percent of Australia's trade and 13of the nation's 20 top exporters are APEC member economies, Harcourt said.

APEC is holding its annual Leaders Week in Sydney, Australia, from Sept 2-9.

The regional economic cooperation forum was founded in 1989, grouping 21 members.