Vietnam Spends US$22Mln for APEC 2006

Vietnam will spend VND350 billion (around US$22 million) for the APEC meetings held for the first time in the nation this year, Government official announced.

 

“The amount could rise if organizing activities for the largest meeting of the year in Vietnam require a larger sum,” said Deputy Head of the National Secretary Committee for APEC Vu Tu Thanh.

 

Thanh said that the government would upgrade transportation, communication equipment, security and other services for the meetings.

 

Organizers expect 1,500 delegates from 21 member countries to attend the SOM II (Senior Official Meeting) in Hanoi, and a Trade Ministerial Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City from May 22nd to June 2nd.

 

APEC 2006 in Vietnam is scheduled to comprise of around 100 meetings with the participation of tens of thousands State leaders from the two most dynamic economic regions: East Asia and North America, with a total population of 2.5 billion, an annual GDP revenue of US$19 trillion, and making up 47 per cent of the total global import-export value.