The IMF-WB Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the IMF and the World Bank Group (WBG) from October 8-14, 2018, will bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, parliamentarians, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development, and aid effectiveness.
Also featured will be seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world`s financial system among this year`s events in Nusa Dua resort, Bali Island.
After chairing the final preparatory meeting on the IMF-WB Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua on Thursday, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan remarked that the number of people registering to participate in the gathering had reached 32 thousand.
This number far exceeds the government`s estimate that previously said the Annual Meetings of IMF-WB would be attended by 19 thousand people, including delegates from 189 member countries, and media representatives, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and also observers and parliamentarians.
Seeing this great number of participants, Panjaitan told the participants of the final preparatory meeting that the Government of Indonesia will not just be a good host, but more than that, will prove that it is able to manage the country well in the midst of uncertain global economic conditions.
Based on data on October 3, 2018, it was noted that 12,031 people registered through the "Meeting Team Secretariat" (MTS) from the IMF-WB online, and 19,404 people registered through the "Indonesia Planning Team", which was managed by the national committee.
Panjaitan emphasized that the number of participants at this time`s IMF-WB Annual Meetings could reach 32 thousand people, taking into account the number of registrants on October 4, and guests from the private sector outside the official registration line.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has expressed his hope that the IMF-WB Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua would be utilized as much as possible to place Indonesia in the world spotlight.
When presiding over a limited meeting under the topic of developing preparations for the annual IMF-WB meetings at the Presidential Office here on Tuesday, the head of state said, "I want this international event to be used as much as possible to put Indonesia in the world spotlight."
The limited meeting was the fourth to discuss the 2018 IMF-WB Annual Meetings` preparations, which will begin next week.
"Therefore, I want to ensure that all preparations for this meeting have been completed," Jokowi remarked.
The president wants a thorough preparation, especially in terms of presenting the Indonesian economy as a whole and the country`s superior products in the global market.
In addition to promoting Indonesian investment in the international world, the interesting destinations in the country will, of course, also be promoted.
President Jokowi also wanted to take advantage of the presence of approximately 30 thousand participants in the IMF-WB meetings so as to make a good economic impact not only in Bali but also for other regions in Indonesia.
The Head of State also requested that the event be prepared in detail so that the holding of this annual meeting could be carried out smoothly in order to have a positive impact on Indonesia.
In the meantime, Bali Regional Representative Council member Gede Ketut Nugrahita Pendit urged the community to participate in the success of the IMF-WB Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua.
"I hope that the community would participate in the success of these international activities, as Bali has its own privileges, so the organizing committee of the IMF-WB annual meeting chose the location in Nusa Dua," Pendit remarked in Denpasar on Friday.
According to him, the event is quite prestigious in the eyes of the world, so the committee has made all the necessary preparations for its success.
Hence, Pendit reiterated that the community would participate in its success in all fields, including following the government`s appeal relating to the meetings.
He noted that all preparations had been made by the committee, including at the various locations that the IMF-WB meeting participants will visit.
Delegates of the meeting, on the sidelines of their activities, will visit several regions, including tourist attractions on the Island of the Gods.
The IMF-WB Annual Meetings allow Indonesia to promote tourism, and thus, the government also established 33 tourism destinations starting from Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara to Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara.
Editing by Bustanuddin
Reporter: Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Bustanuddin
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