APEC leaders meet in Bali on economic growth, regional integration

Leaders and representatives of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum met here Monday on maintaining growth and regional integration amid a faltering economic recovery process. Under the theme "Resilient Asia-Pacific, Engine of Global Growth," the annual gathering seeks to ensure that the Asia- Pacific maintains dynamic economic growth and resilience and swiftly recover from shocks and contagions from other regions. "In spite of uneven pace of recovery in the APEC region, the APEC economies continue to be a driving force for global growth," said Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his keynote speech. According to the IMF, APEC is expected to grow by 6.3 percent in 2013 and by 6.6 percent in 2014. "I'm convinced that the role of APEC becomes even more important," the president said. The summit highlights three priorities related to the attainment of the Bogor Goals, the achievement of sustainable growth with equity and the promotion of connectivity.