WELCOME SPEECH BY MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE APEC CEO SUMMIT WELCOME RECEPTION, THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2009, 7.30 PM, NATIONALMUSEU 

Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me first welcome all of you to Singapore. It is my pleasure today to receive you at the APEC CEO Summit Singapore 2009.

This year’s summit takes place at a time when the global economy is at vital crossroads. The crisis has changed the global economic landscape. It is more important now than ever for economies to work hand-in-hand to develop new growth paradigms for the future. The APEC CEO Summit is, and has always been, a platform for policymakers and businesses to work together to rebuild the global economy, and move the Asia-Pacific region into the future.

This year’s CEO Summit is also significant in that it takes place on the 20th anniversary of APEC’s founding. It is an especially good opportunity for APEC, with strong involvement from the private sector, to consider how it can develop and implement initiatives to meet the needs of the future.

The theme for this year’s CEO Summit is “Rebuilding the Global Economy: Crisis and Opportunity”. This topic is a timely one. It is also apt that at this critical juncture of the world economy, that this year’s CEO summit has a record turnout of APEC leader, since the inception of the CEO Summit in 1996.Over the next two days, Asia-Pacific leaders, together with top policy makers, business leaders, and thinkers, will discuss the future economic landscape and the pressing concerns that require our attention.

They include myriad issues, ranging from climate change, energy, to how to invest in emerging markets and how to foster innovation that companies need to have in the post-crisis world to stay ahead of the competition.

Let me wish all of you stimulating conversations and productive exchanges throughout the CEO Summit. I also hope that you will enjoy your stay in Singapore. Thank you.