APEC meeting, G-20 meeting in Australia, energy prices, economy, Victorian Liberal Party, stem cell research – Interview with Fran Kelly, Radio National
August 30, 2006Integration, interest rates, States financial management, Telstra, Medibank Private sale, Victorian Liberal Party – Interview with Laurie Oakes, Sunday
September 3, 2006
NO.092
MEETINGS IN VIETNAM, SOUTH AFRICA AND SINGAPORE
Treasurer Peter Costello, will attend two key international forums in September the 13 th annual APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) in Vietnam on 7-8 September and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual Meetings in Singapore on 19-20 September.
The APEC Finance Ministers’ process provides an annual forum for APEC Finance Ministers to exchange views on regional macroeconomic and financial developments and on national and regional policy priorities.
A central part of the Asia Pacific economic architecture, the APEC FMM encourages Ministers to engage on issues that are crucial for economic development, growth and stability in the region.
The focus of the APEC FMM meeting will be on promoting stable and efficient revenue systems within the region and examining how financial sector reform can attract capital flows.
While attending the meeting, the Treasurer will also invite his counterparts to attend the 2007 Finance Ministers’ Meeting, which will be held in Australia.
After the APEC FMM, the Treasurer will visit South Africa on 1012 September to discuss the priorities and work programme of the Group of Twenty (G-20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors with Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and to examine first hand the development challenges facing Africa.
The Treasurer’s visit is timely and important as South Africa will be succeeding Australia as host of the G-20 in 2007. Mr Costello will engage with donor and business communities and visit aid projects.
The Treasurer will also attend the 2006 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Singapore on 1920 September, as Australia’s Governor of the Fund and Bank.
The meetings in Singapore will provide an opportunity for members to commit to reform of IMF governance which will ensure the Fund’s ongoing legitimacy and relevance in light of changes to the global economy. IMF and World Bank reform will be one of the themes to be discussed when the Treasurer hosts the G-20 meeting in Melbourne later this year.
While in Vietnam, South Africa and Singapore, the Treasurer will also will also meet with counterpart ministers, other senior ministers and business leaders in a series of bilateral meetings.
MELBOURNE
1 September 2006
Contact: David Alexander
02 6277 7340