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Singapore and Thai PMs to Open APEC Secretariat Building - Saturday, 6 September 2003

Singapore | 05 September 2003
The Prime Minister of Singapore, H.E. Goh Chok Tong, and the Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Thaksin Shinawatra who is also the APEC 2003 Chair will officially open the new APEC Secretariat Building in Singapore on Saturday, September 6.
The opening ceremony will take place after the "APEC and Globalization" seminar that will include the participation of:
  • Hon. Bob Hawke, Former Prime Minister of Australia
  • Dr Lin Fang-mei, Minister, National Youth Commission, Chinese Taipei
  • Mr. Tej Bunnag, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Chair of the APEC Senior Officials Meeting
  • Mr. Timothy Ong, Prominent Business Leader and Publisher of Asia Inc.
  • Mr. David Parsons, Director General of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council Secretariat
  • Dr Richard Feinberg, Professor of International Political Economy, and Director APEC Study Center, University of California
APEC Secretariat Executive Director, Ambassador Piamsak Milintachinda, said the participation of the Singapore and Thai Prime Ministers and other senior members of the international community highlights the regional importance of the APEC process.
"APEC is made up of 21 member economies stretching from Russia through East Asia, Oceania and North and South America.
"Each year we bring together the Economic Leaders, Ministers and Officials of APEC Member economies to reduce barriers to trade, build the regional economy and raise living standards.
"APEC operates in a number of areas that have direct impact on regional economic growth. These range from trade facilitation and measures to cut red tape, to human capacity building and developing measures to safeguard against terrorism and infectious diseases such as SARS.
"The Secretariat was first established in Singapore ten years ago and since then has continued to serve as the core support mechanism of the APEC process.
"This year the host economy for major APEC meetings is Thailand and we are honored to have the Prime Minister participate in the opening of the Secretariat Building."
The APEC Secretariat building is a purpose built facility for the APEC process that is provided by the Government of Singapore on grounds adjacent to the National University of Singapore.
Media are invited to cover the APEC and Globalization Seminar and the Secretariat Building Opening attended by Prime Minister Goh and Prime Minister Thaksin. There will also be a brief doorstop interview opportunity.
Media are required to register online via: www.apecsec.org.sg or direct link at http://203.127.220.66/apec/news_media/media_acrd.php
Date:  6 September 2003  
Time:  2:30pm APEC and Globalization Seminar 
           6:00pm Official Opening of the APEC Secretariat Building  
Venue:  APEC Secretariat Building, 35 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore. 
An APEC video news release will be issued at 0230-0240 gmt via the Reuters World News Service. Details of satellite paths are available on the APEC Secretariat website www.apecsec.org.sg

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