During its chairmanship in APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), Indonesia will have the privilege to decide the agenda of talks during the APEC meetings.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa is optimistic that Indonesia will reap benefits from its position as APEC chairman this year.

"We are sure APEC under the leadership of Indonesia will give contribution and added value to the national economic growth and people`s welfare without ignoring its roles globally," Minister Marty said his annual speech here Friday.

During its chairmanship in APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), Indonesia will have the privilege to decide the agenda of talks during the APEC meetings.

Indonesia will include issues of its national interests in the agenda such as the improvement of the small and medium scale businesses` competitiveness, food resilience, health, and sustainable marine development or blue economy.

"APEC`s policies are expected to directly or indirectly help improve the Indonesian people`s welfare," he said.

However, the economic growth depends on the regional security stability, particularly in Asia and the Pacific, he added.

"Indonesia`s politic always tries to establish good relations with other nations in order to maintain the regional stability and security," he said.

"We must properly manage sensitive issues such as South China sea being claimed by several countries," he said.

Indonesia hosted the APEC 2013 Informal Senior Officials` Meeting in Jakarta on 7 December 2012. ISOM marked the beginning of Indonesia`s chairmanship in APEC for 2013. Twenty-one Senior Officials from 20 member economies of APEC attended the meeting and discussed the theme and priorities of APEC Indonesia 2013.

The theme for APEC 2013 is Resilient Asia-Pacific, Engine of Global Growth.

Within these priorities, Indonesia will focus on issues such as infrastructure investment, SMEs, women participation in the economy, the role of farmers, emergency response, green technology, food security, financial inclusion, health, and education. Indonesia believes that these issues are pertinent in maintaining the momentum of growth and strengthening resilience in the region.

APEC is a Pacific-rim economic cooperation forum among 21 member economies. APEC was established in 1989, with Indonesia as one of its initial member economies.

APEC member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States, and Viet Nam. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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