Bali Ready To Host 2013 APEC Summit

Jakarta, June 21 (Antara) - Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa said Bali is ready to host the summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum 2013 in October. "Based on evaluation results the conclusion is that we are ready," Hatta said here Friday after a coordination meeting to discuss preparations for the APEC summit. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, Minister of Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bapenas) Armida Alisjahbana, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu and Deputy Finance Minister Mahendra Siregar. According to Hatta, one of the preparations that are being made is the use of environmentally friendly vehicles that use a combination of electric and biodiesel energy sources throughout the summit activities. "We will use hundreds of buses, light mini buses, small cars that use a combination of electric and biodiesel energy sources, plus hundreds of biodiesel cars," he said. Hatta also ensured the readiness of motorways and the hotel venue in Nusa Dua and other supporting infrastructure for the main event, which will be attended by leaders of APEC member countries. He said that the forum is important, because currently the Asia Pacific region is one of the main contributors to world economic growth. Besides, the meeting will also be beneficial because the global economy is currently experiencing a downturn due to the crisis which is not yet over in Europe. "The APEC meeting is very important because the growth engines are here while current global conditions are not good," said Hatta. According to him, economic security and global growth engine will be the topics of the discussion and the main theme of the 2013 APEC summit. Besides the attendance of 21 heads of state who are members of the APEC forum, this event is expected to be also attended by 5,000 delegates and media personnel from a variety of countries.