APEC delegates have applauded Vietnam’s preparations for the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week, scheduled to take place in the central coastal city of Da Nang from November 6-11.

David Toua from Papua New Guinea, ABAC Chair 2018 speaks to reporters

According to David Toua from Papua New Guinea, ABAC Chair 2018, Vietnam has done a spledid job this  year. 

“You have a Chairman who is very clear. He has consulted widely and the agenda has been very clear for Vietnam,” he commented.

Vietnam’s preparations for APEC 2017 so far have been excellent, said Rio Fiocco, alternative member of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)’s Papua New Guinea Secretariat.

“I am really impressed with Vietnam and its facilities, airports and transportation. Everything is fantastic,” he said.

He also praised Da Nang for its infrastructure, saying five-star hotels and resorts here are quite impressive.

At the Da Nang International Airport, Chen Shuai, a Chinese delegate to the APEC Voices of the Future (VOF) forum to be held in Da Nang and Hoi An city, Quang Nam province on November 6-10, said it was convinient for him to make check-in procedures and APEC delegates had been given a special treatment.

“The volunteers are very kind and warmhearted. When they saw us, they came and ask to offer help,” he said. 

“As the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week is approaching, we can see banners and advertisements everywhere in Da Nang,” he added.

Desra Percaya, an Indonesian delegate, praised the landscapes and people of Vietnam and the central coastal city in particular. “This is the first time I have come to Da Nang. The city is very beautiful and its people are friendly and helpful. Everything here is very clean. I feel a very warm welcome by Vietnam,” he said.

The APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week is expected to draw about 10,000 delegates from the 21 APEC economies. 

Established in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.

It represents about 39 percent of the world’s population and contributes 57 percent to global GDP and 49 percent of international trade.

APEC 2017: Russia backs host Vietnam’s priorities

Russia supports priorities raised by Vietnam in its capacity as the host of the APEC Year 2017, Ambassador-at-Large Valery Sorokin, a senior official of Russia for APEC. 

A corner of Da Nang which hosts APEC Economic Leaders' Week

Sorokin said these priorities match Russia’s interests, including promoting sustainable, creative and inclusive growth, enhancing regional economic integration, improving competitiveness and creativeness of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and stringing food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change. 

Russia admires Vietnam’s initiative to draft a joint action programme on economic, financial and social inclusion in APEC, he said, affirming Russia’s willingness to join hands to realise the initiative. 

The ambassador also stressed that Russia attaches importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, which is developing fruitfully across fields. 

Speaking highly of Vietnam’s hosting the APEC Year 2017, he noted that as the host, Vietnam has performed a pile of work with diverse contents and wonderful organisation. 

Sorokin expressed his belief that the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week from November 6-11 in central Da Nang city will be a success. 

As APEC economies, Russia and Vietnam will continue their close coordination to contribute to promote the forum and step up their bilateral ties, he said, adding within the framework of APEC, Russia and Vietnam have effectively coordinated with each other since both nations joined the forum in 1998.

The official said the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting is an opportunity for leaders of the two countries to discuss effective solutions to elevate the bilateral relationship to a new level. 

Established in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum comprises 21 economies, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong-China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.

APEC represents about 39 percent of the world’s population and contributes 57 percent to global GDP and 49 percent of international trade.

VNA