The beautiful Indonesian island paradise of Bali will host an important summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from 5-7 October, 2013 with the theme, “Towards Resilience and Growth: Reshaping Priorities for Global Economy”. The meeting comes at a key time for the Asian-Pacific region, as growth and expansion of regional economies is on the rise and many changes are taking place that involve trade and business between member nations.
Summit attendees will include recently elected and re-elected leaders of Malaysia, South Korea, Mexico, China and the United States. In addition, over 1000 business delegates will gather from nations across the entire Asia Pacific region, also intent on a dialogue with prime ministers, presidents, business and other leaders from dominant economies and emerging ones. The conference theme embraces increasing sustainable growth, economic growth, dynamic trade and financial stability across the Asia Pacific area, as well as solid working with farther flung nations.
APEC, a free trade promotional organisation of 21 Pacific Rim countries, is designed to promote Asia-Pacific trade blocs globally by creating new channels for raw materials and agricultural products, as well as augmenting living standards, education advances and social improvements through inter-connectivity and commerce among member nations and the wider world community.
As the 2015 introduction of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community gears up its campaign to widen social progress, economic and trade development and increased cooperation amongst member nations and Western / European nations, one of APEC’s goals is to increase communication, inter-locking trade and regional improvements in the years ahead.
Bali is going all-out in preparing for the summit, including building several major construction projects that the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Tourism Industry council says will create long-lasting infrastructure improvements and ease traffic congestion. Projects include a toll road connecting Ngurah Rai International Airport with Benoa harbour and tourist areas Nusa Dua, Kuta, Sanur, Denpasar and Ubud. Upgrades are also planned for the airport itself, to raise the annual passenger capacity to 25 million, from 9 million.
United States President Barack Obama is drawing particular attention, as he will be returning to his boyhood home. He lived in Indonesia for four years starting at age seven. Uncertainty about his attendance followed the rejection of a logo President Obama designed in Photoshop for the 2013 Summit, which was chosen as a finalist in the contest but then failed to make the grade when Indonesian President Susilo Banbang Youhoyono selected a simpler version created by his nephew, Bintang, instead. President Obama followed up with an “unlikely to attend” notice, which created a bit of buzz in the internet, but has since noted that he’s enthused about returning to the land of his early schooling and friendships, and recalls the wonderful native foods. US Administration officials have also suggested that the President will be joined by First Lady Michelle Obama.
Throughout the APEC summit, side functions will focus on the many tourism attractions across Bali, including some at Taman Safari Indonesia in Gianyar, Uluwatu and Taman Ayun Temple in Badung Regency. Tourism traffic and sale of Bali products worldwide should increase as a result of summit exposure, as well as the 2013 Miss World Pageant, which will also take place on the Island of the Gods.
Bali is the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia and known for its highly developed artistic culture, which includes sculpture, music, painting, leatherwork, traditional and modern dance and metalworking.
By Jubel Shaw