Hobart to host leaders
It is expected that Prime Minister John Howard will today announce Hobart as one of eight Australian cities to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum next year.
With more than 10,000 delegates and 1500 international media representatives expected to visit Australia for the APEC meetings, it is reported that Hobart will host the Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting and Working Group from March 4-9, 2007, which unfortunately coincides with Tasmania’s peak tourist season, with thousands of delegates and media from around the world expecting to be attempting to book local hotels to capacity and the meetings having massive security implications.
Mr Howard said Tasmanian Government agencies were already involved in detailed logistics and security planning for the APEC meeting, saying “The APEC 2007 year will be the most significant series of international meetings ever hosted by Australia.” Adding, “The planning includes providing a safe and secure environment for leaders, ministers and officials to meet and carry out their business.”
APEC meetings also will be held in Adelaide, Cairns, Canberra, Coolum, Darwin, Perth and Sydney, with the meetings beginning in January and Australia’s APEC year culminating with the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Sydney on September 8-9, 2007.
Mr Howard said a public holiday had been proposed for the APEC meeting in Sydney to assist with managing security during the event, with APEC the premier forum for fostering economic growth, co-operation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, with 21 APEC member countries spanning four continents and accounting for about 40% of the world’s population, 56% of world GDP and 48% of world trade.
About 69% of Australia’s trade with the world was with APEC members in 2005 and the 21 APEC members are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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