ILOILO CITY, April 16 (PNA)– The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum national organizing committee has finalized this city’s hosting of two APEC Ministerial Meetings this year.
The Ministerial Meeting slated on Sept. 21-25, 2015 for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will gather more than 1,000 participants from 21 countries in Asia and the Pacific rim.
The other Ministerial Meeting will be for Food Security and the Blue Economy slated on Sept. 28 until Oct. 6, 2015 to be attended by more than 700 international participants.
The national organizing committee is also finalizing the Iloilo City hosting of a third meeting on Disaster Risk Management slated on September this year.
In Proclamation No. 991 calling for Visit the Philippine Year (VPY 2015) issued last March 30, the President said the Philippines hosting of APEC Forum in 2015 and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Tourism Forum next year will both serve as a venue to promote the country as a host for meetings, conventions, and exhibitions in the Asia-Pacific area.
The President urged public and private sectors to consolidate their activities and products into one calendar of events to showcase the outstanding work of Filipinos in music and arts, lifestyle and entertainment, sports and adventure, business and history and culture.
The private sector, especially those companies involved in the business of hotel and lodging, travel and tours and transportation, are encouraged to support the VPY 2015 by developing relevant tour programs and packages for both foreign and local tourists. (PNA)