Prime Minister to Host 5th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien will host leaders from 17 other Pacific Rim economies for the fifth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in Vancouver on Nov. 24 and 25.

"Bringing APEC to Canada is an important investment in Canada's future. Developments in Asia Pacific touch the lives of Canadians more and more as a result of growing business, immigration and cultural ties," said the Prime Minister. "This is a golden opportunity for Canada to work with our Asia Pacific partners to put in place the building blocks of economic development that will help create a stronger, more prosperous and equitable APEC community."

"Our Asia Pacific partners will see first-hand that Canada is an excellent place to do business, study and travel. I'm confident that they will appreciate the warmth, diversity and tradition of mutual respect within Canada - qualities that unite us from coast-to-coast-to- coast and help make Canada the best place in the world in which to live," he added.

APEC leaders are expected to discuss current and long-term issues that have an impact on growth and development in the region and provide direction for future work. These meetings are the culmination of a year-long effort to advance freer trade and investment and cultivate greater co-operation on economic development, particularly in infrastructure and sustainable growth. APEC has also focused on expanding the involvement of academics, women, youth, small business, labour and others in order to better inform APEC's work and strengthen ties among people in the region.

More than 8,000 government, business and media representatives are expected to come to Vancouver, generating more than $23 million in revenue for the local economy. The event will mark the high point of Canada's Year of Asia Pacific. More than 600 events are being held across Canada to celebrate Canada's Pacific heritage and to stimulate stronger ties to the region, particularly by small and medium enterprises and young people. Many of the events have involved the participation of cultural communities, highlighting Canada's cultural diversity.

Formed in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is now the main forum in the Asia-Pacific region for promoting freer trade and investment and for co- operating on economic growth and development. Together, APEC members have a combined gross national product of $16 trillion US in 1996, about half of the world's total annual output and represent about half of the world's total merchandise trade. In 1996, Canada's two-way trade with APEC members, excluding the United States, reached $58.6 billion. Since APEC's inception in 1989, two-way trade with the same economies has grown more than $20 billion.

APEC's 18 members are Australia; Brunei; Canada; Chile; China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; the Philippines; the Republic of Korea; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand and the United States.

The Leaders' Meeting will be preceded by the ninth meeting of APEC ministers responsible for trade and for foreign affairs on Nov. 21 and 22. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lloyd Axworthy, Minister for International Trade Sergio Marchi and Secretary of State (Asia- Pacific) Raymond Chan will also attend.

A preliminary copy of the program of APEC and related events is attached.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
APEC '97 Canadian Coordinating Office
(604) 775-5989

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19

0900 - 1700
Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20

0900 - 1700
Senior Officials Meeting
Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre

1700
SOM Media Briefing

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21

1400 - 1700
Ministerial Meeting (joint Foreign Affairs & Trade Ministers)
Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22

0900 - 1200
Ministerial Retreat
The Vancouver Club

1400 - 1700
Ministerial Meeting
Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre

1715
Ministerial News Conference

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23

all day
Arrival of Leaders and Bilateral meetings

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24

1000 - 1300
APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Meeting
Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre

1600 - 1700
Leaders' Dialogue with ABAC
Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre

1715
ABAC News Conference

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24

1800 - 2200
Dinner and Cultural Performance hosted by the Prime Minister of Canada
BC Place

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25

0930 - 1200
Leaders' Retreat
Great Hall of the Museum of Anthropology
University of British Columbia

1200 - 1350
Leaders' Luncheon
Norman MacKenzie House
University of British Columbia

1400 - 1530
Leaders' Retreat
Great Hall of the Museum of Anthropology
University of British Columbia

1545 - 1600
Presentation of the Leaders' Declaration
Great Hall of the Museum of Anthropology
University of British Columbia

1645
News Conference: The Prime Minister of Canada, Chair of APEC '97
International Briefing Theatre
Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre

November 16-19
International Federation of Associations of Business Economists (IFABE) Meeting
Hotel Vancouver

November 19-21
Pacific Basin Economic Council Meeting (PBEC)
Chateau Whistler

Friday, November 21

0730 - 0830 hrs
Sponsor Breakfast hosted by the Minister for International Trade of Canada
BC Business Crossroads Centre, Robson Square Conference Centre

all day
Heads of Export Credit Agencies & Export Finance Institutions Meeting Sutton Place Hotel

1700 - 1900 hrs
Reception hosted by the Premier of British Columbia
BC Business Crossroads Centre, Robson Square

Saturday, November 22

0730 - 0830 hrs
Sponsor Breakfast hosted by the Secretary of State (Asia Pacific)
BC Business Crossroads Centre, Robson Square

All Day
APEC CEO Summit -- Westin Bayshore Hotel

1900 - 2100 hrs
Media Reception hosted by the Province of British Columbia
BC Business Crossroads Centre, Robson Square

Sunday, November 23

0730 - 0830 hrs
Sponsor Breakfast hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada
BC Business Crossroads Centre, Robson Square

All Day
APEC CEO Summit
Westin Bayshore Hotel

1830 - 2230
APEC CEO Summit Gala
Westin Bayshore Hotel

1800 - 2230 hrs
Vancouver Gala '97 in honour of APEC
hosted by the Mayor of the City of Vancouver
Hyatt Hotel


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