Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and the Prime Minister of Thailand, Pol Lt Col Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, as Chair of APEC 2003, will jointly open the new Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat building on Saturday, 6 September 2003. They will unveil a commemorative plaque to signify the official opening of the building.
Some 250 guests from APEC member economies are expected to attend the ceremony. Singapore Ministers attending the event include Prof S Jayakumar, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law, and BG (NS) George Yeo, Minister for Trade and Industry.
Singapore has been a strong supporter of APEC since its inception in 1989. As one of the 12 founding members, Singapore recognised that the APEC process was vital to strengthening economic growth and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region. APEC has indeed broadened and deepened economic cooperation and integration amongst APEC economies. In 1992, APEC members agreed on the need for an APEC Secretariat and for it to be located in Singapore. The Secretariat was first established at temporary premises at Alexandra Point before being housed at its new stand-alone building constructed by the Singapore Government at Heng Mui Keng Terrace.
. . . . .
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
4 SEPTEMBER 2003