Sofitel Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
7 October 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III joined global leaders in the discussion of APEC’s role in strengthening multilateral trading system in the current global economic situation during part one of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Retreat.

In an opening statement, Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono laid out the topics which will be the center of the leaders’ discussion. Firstly, he mentioned the attainment of free and open trade in 2020 which is a key component of the 1994 Bogor Goals. In order to achieve this, he said that APEC must ensure open, rules-based, transparent and non-discriminating multilateral trading system.

Better connectivity is also raised by President Yudhoyono as one of the major issues that needs attention. According to him, improved connectivity will offer greater opportunities to countries in the Asia-Pacific rim to achieve a more productive and larger trade and investment. This will benefit people in the APEC region to attain higher income and skills as well as increased mobility.

In closing, the Indonesia President told APEC leaders his hopes of producing an outcome document that will push for the attainment of APEC objective – to build a region with common and sustained prosperity.

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