Since the Blueprint for Action on Electronic Commerce was endorsed by APEC Economic Leaders in 1998, APEC has actively promoted cooperation on electronic commerce issues. On many occasions, APEC Ministers have also recognised that paperless trading can significantly reduce business costs and streamline transport, freight, customs and other transactions throughout the region. In 1998, Ministers agreed “that member economies should endeavour to reduce or eliminate the requirement for paper documents needed for customs and other cross-border trade administration and other documents and messages relevant to international sea, air and land transport i.e. "Paperless Trading" (for trade in goods), where possible, by 2005 for developed and 2010 for developing economies, or as soon as possible thereafter.” In 1999, Ministers encouraged economies to incorporate the paperless trading initiative into their Individual Action Plans and instructed officials to increase their efforts to achieve the 2005/2010 targets. In 2001, a template for an individual action plan on paperless trading was approved. Since 2002, member economies have been submitting paperless trading IAPs on a voluntary basis.