Saturday, October 12, 2013

Yudhoyono highlights needs of APEC multilateral trade system


President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono underlined the need for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to reach an agreement on establishing a multilateral trade system that is not discriminatory but is transparent and open.

"The multilateral trade system could become an important source of sustainable economic growth and stability," he said while opening the APEC Summit here on Monday.

In light on his remarks, the main agenda of the APEC Summit 2013 was to promote the establishment of a growing multilateral trade system with a special focus on achieving the target of a free and open market by 2020.

President Yudhoyono also highlighted the differences in pace in economic development across the Asia-Pacific region.

"We believe all APEC countries must benefit from the APEC process, and therefore, it is important for us to achieve just and sustainable economic growth," he stated.

President Yudhoyono also underlined the need to achieve the Bogor Target by 2020 based on the principles of justice.

On the occasion, he further emphasized the need for connectivity within the region.

"We need to develop better connectivity. With connectivity, we can give our people more opportunities to benefit from economic growth, so they will have a larger income, better skills, and increased mobility," he explained.

Agreement to strengthen connectivity momentum for regional integration

The agreement to strengthen connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region, initiated by Indonesia in the APEC Summit 2013 round, will provide important and historic momentum for the process of integration in the region, Marty Natalegawa said.

"I am convinced the document will be a historic milestone for strengthening APEC regional cooperation and integration," the Indonesian foreign minister noted in a written statement received here on Monday.

At the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Oct. 4-5, Indonesia proposed an APEC Framework on Connectivity (AFC), which is considered a strategic step to reaffirm the commitment of APEC economic leaders in advancing physical, institutional, and individual connectivity across and around the Pacific in the Asia-Pacific region.

APEC ministers agreed that a regional integrated inter-economic network must be well maintained.

"With detailed plans and strong implementation efforts by each economy, higher growth would be immediately achieved in an optimal, sustainable manner," he said.

The AFC document will be submitted to the APEC economic leaders during their meeting on Oct. 7-8.

The connectivity plan is closely linked with Indonesia`s Master Plan for the Acceleration of Indonesia`s Economic Development and its Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.

With the AFC, it is hoped that a strong economic interaction network will branch out across the Asia-Pacific region.
 


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