Bali Benefits From APEC

Nusa Dua, Bali, Oct 7 (Antara) - Bali has reaped numerous benefits by hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, attended by 21 heads of state/government and thousands of delegates, according to Governor Made Mangku Pastika. "We have benefited from APEC in terms of infrastructure development for tourism," said the Bali governor, after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to a function to open the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) at Sofitel Hotel on Monday. The governor noted that to host the APEC meeting, Bali had to construct a new toll road to link Benoa, Ngurah Rai, and Nusa Dua, the first freeway over the sea. It was built by domestic contractors for Rp2.5 trillion. According to him, other infrastructure development, apart from the toll road, are the expansion of Ngurah Rai International Airport, and the construction of an underpass from Ngurah Rai to Simpang Dewa Ruci. "We can also promote our tourism sector, hotels, restaurants, and other services to around 10 thousand delegates who are attending the APEC meeting," said the governor. Pastika noted that it will improve the branding of Bali`s tourism around the world. "The APEC meeting is an extraordinary event that cannot be measured with money," the Bali governor explained.