Indonesia Expected To Strive To Eliminate Protectionism In APEC

Jakarta, April 15 (Antara) - South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Young Sun expressed his expectation on Indonesia to strive for the elimination of protectionism in the APEC conference in Bali this year. Speaking in a special interview with Antara recently, he said the world was watching Indonesia`s leadership as a host of both 2013 APEC Leaders` Meeting and the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference. "I hope Indonesia could make more efforts to eliminate protectionism in the world," he said. The Ambassador stressed Indonesia`s contribution to development of APEC and world trade liberalization since the APEC Bogor Goals were adopted at the 1994 APEC Leaders` Meeting. "The backdrop of a global economic slow down, many people tend to maintain protectionism. Korea fears the recurrence of trade protectionism which is currently taking place," Ambassador Kim said. From the written answers given to Antara, Ambassador Kim cited that the 2013 APEC Leaders` Meeting will be able to offer a great momentum to maintain the stand-still principle of "no new trade restrictive introduction" and further trade liberalization. Asked on specific agenda to be raised by South Korean government, ambassador said, "Korea has been a strong advocate for free trade and investment by liberalizing the environment of trading also the investment. We would be very glad to work closely with Indonesia in order to arrive at the goal." Regarding Indonesian leadership on APEC 2013, Ambassador Kim said his country expected Indonesia to show strong leadership in boosting global economic growth by leading the discussion on how to eliminate such protectionism in addition to building the capacity of each participating country for trade According to him, South Korea`s new President Park Geun Hye will be attending the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting this coming October.