APEC representatives arrive with high expectations to Danang

Danang welcomes representatives arriving for the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders' Week

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The 2017 APEC Economic Leaders' Week is being organised in the central city of Danang during November 6-11, 2017, under the overarching theme of "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future.”

Under this theme, APEC 2017 has four priorities, including promoting sustainable, innovative, and inclusive growth; deepening regional economic integration; strengthening micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises’ competitiveness and innovation in the digital age; and enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change.

This important event has been warmly welcomed by many APEC member economies’ ambassadors to Vietnam.

Konstantin Vnukov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Vietnam, told VIR that Vietnam, as the host of APEC events this year, has carried on the tradition of constructive co-operation among Asia-Pacific economies.

“This is possible thanks to the meaningful directions of the Vietnamese presidency and, of course, the hospitality and kindness of Vietnamese people. I am confident that by our joint efforts we will make an effective contribution to the promotion of APEC for the region’s balanced, innovative, and sustainable development,” Vnukov said. “This year is the second time Vietnam has hosted APEC. I think this is a clear confirmation of your country’s important role in the work of this forum, a recognition of Vietnam’s rapid socio-economic development and its growing authority in the international arena.”

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi also told VIR that, “I am looking forward to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week which will provide effective solutions and new policies to further facilitate the exchange of business opportunities, development, fair competition, and open up more extensive co-operation opportunities among member economies.”

He said that Vietnam is one of the important economies in APEC, and Indonesian people and businesses hope to have more opportunities to approach and co-operate with Vietnamese businesses.

At the same time, attracting a large number of participating economies has shown the increasing role and status of APEC, with the expectation that member economies will have more experiences and open opportunities for co-operation in the future.

“The initiative to create a ‘playground’ for businesses within the APEC Leaders’ Week has made APEC 2017 a place of convergence of diverse organisations and businesses, creating a vibrant atmosphere and promoting exchanges between businesses,” Hadi said. “It is hoped that the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week will have tremendous success, meeting the expectations of a large number of businesses, creating momentum for APEC to regain economic and trade growth, thereby promoting co-operation in new areas, deepening regional integration, and meeting the new development requirements of APEC members in general as well as Indonesia in particular.”

Meanwhile, Lee Hyuk, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam, also stated that Vietnam has been playing an increasingly important role within the APEC since it joined in 1998. Vietnam is one of the few countries entrusted to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week for the second time within a decade, “and looking back on the achievements of the 2006 APEC Summit in Hanoi, there is no doubt that this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Week will be yet another great success.”

Indeed, much preparation and conversation have already taken place throughout the year at the High-Level Policy Dialogues, Senior Officials’ Meetings, and Ministerial Meetings, which will lead to substantial discussions this week.

Moreover, in view of the fact that Danang—the host city of this year's meetings—is one of the most attractive tourism destinations in the ASEAN, Hyuk believed “APEC 2017 will also be a good opportunity to promote tourism and cultural exchange among APEC members.”

Echoing these views, Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Manopchai Vongphakdi also welcomed Vietnam’s hosting the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week.

He said that as a founding member of APEC, Thailand is pleased that Vietnam, a fellow ASEAN member and close neighbour, has joined APEC in 1998 and shared the group’s aspiration in creating prosperity, inclusiveness, and sustainability across the Asia-Pacific region.

"Together, we have witnessed APEC’s progress for 19 years, and we have joined hands to promote various fields of cooperation to ensure the benefits and well-being of our peoples. In Thailand, we see Vietnam as a key strategic partner sharing much of our aspiration to promote peace, prosperity, and sustainability in the Asia-Pacific. The geographical proximity and cultural similarity between the two member economies are among the important factors prompting Vietnam and Thailand to share common views on how to push regionalisation forward,” Vongphakdi said.

“In this regard, Thailand strongly supports Vietnam’s theme and priorities for the APEC 2017, which is the continuation of our work in 2015 and 2016. The Action Agenda on Promoting Economic, Financial and Social Inclusion initiated by Vietnam must be carried on so as to ensure inclusiveness among all member economies while creating new dynamism in the Asia-Pacific,” he added.

Vietnam joined APEC in 1998. APEC members account for 75 and 79 per cent of Vietnam’s trade and international tourist arrivals. Most free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed, or is negotiating, are with APEC members. Also, 80 per cent of overseas Vietnamese students are studying in APEC member economies.

APEC Vietnam 2017 special publication now available On the occasion of the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week held in the central city of Danang from November 6-11, 2017, Vietnam Investment Review issued the special publication titled ‘APEC Vietnam 2017: Responsibility, Mobility, Sustainability, and Innovation.’

APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2017 kicked off in Danang On November 6-11, 2017 in the central city of Danang, the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders' Week will be held under the theme "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future."